Gloria Steinem, a leading figure in the feminist movement of the late 1960s, died at age 92 on Wednesday.

Her activism began with the fight for abortion rights, which she saw as central to women's equality.

That movement transformed American culture, bringing more women into the workforce.

Steinem lived to see a backlash against her vision.

In 2022, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, eliminating the constitutional right to abortion.

Thirteen states have since banned abortion entirely or nearly so.

Steinem called this a setback for democracy.

Conservative activists celebrated the ruling and have pushed for traditional gender roles.

Trump administration officials and groups like the Heritage Foundation have encouraged young women to marry early and prioritize family over career.

Some, like analyst Emma Waters, have criticized feminism for promoting a career-first culture.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also amplified a video with pastors saying women should not vote.

Women's advocacy groups say these efforts aim to disempower women.

They propose policies like paid family leave and affordable child care to support families without forcing women to abandon careers.

Historian Estelle Freedman said feminism is deeply embedded in modern life and its momentum may be unstoppable.

In her final essay, Steinem wrote that older people must remind others how far the movement has come.