Thank you, Gloria Steinem
Blog | September 3, 2026
I awoke this morning to the sad news that Ohio’s own Gloria Steinem passed away at the age of 92. She was a native of East Toledo and never stopped advocating for people in Ohio.
I wanted to take this moment to share how Gloria’s work had a direct impact on abortion access in our state.
Former Governor John Kasich and then Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine abused their authority in an attempt to close the only abortion clinic in Toledo. Abortion Forward worked shoulder to shoulder with abortion activists in Toledo for five years fighting to keep the clinic open. After a lengthy court battle, it ultimately came down to whether or not a local hospital would sign a transfer agreement for the clinic to remain open.
At that critical moment in 2018, Gloria stood with us and issued this public statement:
“I was born and grew up mostly in Toledo. Later, when I needed an abortion — as has one in three American women at some time in our lives — I was in London, where it was safe and legal. This taught me why medical procedures should not be decided by politicians.
We must not allow a political regulatory scheme to close Toledo’s remaining abortion clinic. Its absence would not diminish the number of abortions but would increase the injury and death of women in my home city and state. Democracy begins with each person’s control of his or her own body. Without reproductive freedom, there is no democracy for America women.”
Gloria Steinem’s support and action was an important part of our successful effort to keep abortion safe and legal in Toledo.
That wasn’t the only time she supported the fight for abortion access in Ohio. Time and again, she showed up. She headlined fundraisers, spoke with reporters, met with local activists and elected officials, and knocked on the doors of Ohio voters.
Today, democracy is under attack and abortion is banned in 13 states, including Indiana, Kentucky and West Virginia. Protecting and expanding abortion access in Ohio is more important now than ever.
As we mourn the passing of Gloria, I am grateful for her commitment and yours, to our work to ensure that the dignity of every person is valued, and to our mission of ensuring stigma-free abortion is always accessible without financial or political barriers.
For abortion, forever,
Kellie Copeland
(she/her)
