She Was a Young CIA Operative in the 1950s. How Gloria Steinem’s Covert Beginnings Shaped One of the Great American Feminists

Gloria Steinem, who passed away on September 2 at the age of 92, is renowned as a pivotal figure in the feminist movement of the 20th century. However, her activism is marked by an early, lesser-known chapter involving collaboration with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) during the Cold War. This period, occurring in the late 1950s and early 1960s, saw Steinem utilise CIA funds to engage young Americans in countering Soviet influence at youth festivals across Europe.

Steinem’s political journey began long before her emergence as an emblematic feminist leader. In the years prior to her landmark exposé at Hugh Hefner’s Playboy Club in 1963, she sought to challenge the Soviet Union’s ideological outreach through initiatives funded by the CIA. Events known as World Youth Festivals, organised primarily by communist countries, were crucial venues for the promotion of pro-Soviet ideologies. Steinem, inspired by her time in India and the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi, sought to counter this narrative by involving American youth.

From 1956 to 1958, Steinem spent two years in India on a scholarship provided by Chester Bowles, who served as U.S. Ambassador to India. This experience profoundly influenced her outlook and ignited her desire for American political involvement in global discussions. Upon returning to the United States, she was struck by the lack of attention and activism directed towards these youth festivals, particularly in an environment where students were not taken seriously until the civil rights movement gained momentum.

To address this gap, Steinem reached out to former members of the National Student Association, which was a network of university student governments that had, as revealed later, been accepting CIA funding since the early 1950s. These connections opened the door for Steinem to secure financial support for her mission, which would ultimately lead to the formation of the Independence Research Service in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

In 1959, ahead of the youth festival held in Vienna, Austria, Steinem began receiving funding from the CIA. This collaboration came to light when a report by Ramparts magazine exposed her connections. Despite the scrutiny and ethical concerns surrounding intelligence agency involvement, Steinem expressed a certain satisfaction at having found supporters within the government who shared her vision of engaging American youth in global discourse.

As her prominence grew within the feminist movement, the historical context of her CIA collaboration invited scrutiny and questions about her integrity. Nevertheless, Steinem’s perspective on her early involvement has remained relatively steadfast over time. In later interviews, such as one conducted in 2016, she noted the complexities of the situation and defended her actions, stating, “If this was our grandmother’s money, we’d be doing the same thing.” Her reflections illustrate a nuanced understanding of the political landscape of her time and her belief in the necessity of youth participation in international dialogues.

Steinem’s admission that she experienced hurt from criticism by fellow feminists further highlights the internal conflicts faced by activists navigating ethical lines in activism. Despite the fallout from her early partnership with the CIA, in her 2015 memoir, “My Life on the Road,” she indicated that she would not have chosen to act differently.

The revelations about Steinem’s early career challenge simplified narratives of her life as a political activist. They hint at the intricate interplay between activism and governmental influence, particularly during a period marked by ideological battles at an international level. As such, Steinem’s legacy serves as both a testament to the power of advocacy for women’s rights and a reminder of the sometimes murky waters navigated by those involved in political movements.

In recognising Gloria Steinem’s contributions to feminism, it is essential to acknowledge the complexities of her beliefs and actions throughout her life. The tapestry of her experiences offers a greater understanding of the historical context in which she operated and the enduring significance of her fight for equality and women’s rights. Even in her passing, she continues to inspire both admiration and critical reflection, reminding us of the multifaceted nature of activism and its implications on society.