Outrageous Acts and Everyday Rebellions

By far the best essay in this book is "Ruth's Song (Because She Could Not Sing It)". It's the story of Steinem's relationship with her mother, and it hits you like a blow to the solar plexus. If nothing else, read this book for that essay and the brilliant satirical "If Men Could Menstruate." Otherwise, trigger warning for transphobia and colonialist attitudes.

Review from The Book Wheel:

About two months ago, during a class simulation, I was in the hallway speaking with several male classmates. Despite that fact that I had done my research and was an active participant, 90% of the men I was with completely ignored me, despite my overt attempts to join the conversation. It was so bad, in fact, that all but one of them walked away while I was still talking. Infuriated, I clapped my hands loudly and demanded that they listen to me. Had I not just been treated in such a way by a group of faculty members a few weeks before, I may have let it slide for the sake of civility, but I was tired of men acting as if they were placating me by allowing me to speak. They may as well have patted me on the head show more and told me to be a good little girl and play nice.

I’ve always been very outspoken and assertive, so I’m not entirely sure how I made it to 30 without reading Gloria Steinem, but here I am, reading her for the first time. To be honest, I don’t know that I would have fully appreciated her or her work ten years ago, so maybe it’s for the best that I read her now! I’ve always thought of Ms. Steinem as an amazing, confident, trailblazing woman. I had no idea that she had a massive fear of public speaking, overanalyzed what she had said for days on end, and was constantly seeking approval. As someone who can identify with and is overcoming these same traits, it her ability to succeed and make such a long-lasting and positive change fills me with hope.

Outrageous Acts and Everyday Rebellions is a book of essays, most of which were written decades ago, and include relevant updates to keep the reader up to date on what the current state of affairs are. As Ms. Steinem points out in her introduction, some of these updates are depressing in that not much progress has been made. The essays range from how the transexual movement has affected gender roles, her time as a a Playboy Bunny, an essay about her mother and what would happen if men menstruated.

While all of the essays covered very serious topics, they were made more interesting with a type of humor that was not haha funny, but instead amusing in a this-is-real-life way. It made the book much more approachable and less preachy. In fact, the book didn’t seem preachy or “feministy” at all and yet I finished the book wanting to jump up and shout about how great it is to be a woman. show less

I'm glad I read this, and I wish I had sooner. Many of her battle cries seem moot now, which is awesome, but some things really made me uncomfortable (good, right?). Let's ramble on about one thing!

I know that plenty of aspects of my personality are "feminine" (eg, liking to have a good cry, playing dumb to avoid conflict) and that I've used them to feel safe in not asking more of myself. I've matured being self-aware enough to recognize this, but not empowered to change (esp. with the comfort that the end result of that change may be a socially acceptable enough public face, not a bitch with an axe to grind.) So yes, a lady doctor has never seemed weird to me, but I think the biggest uphill battle is changing attitudes that are less show more about overall life choices and more about socializing young girls to be conflict-avoidant, and young boys to being uncommunicative.

Some things that bothered me (not as a result of a "feminist" identification, but simple recognition that Joss Whedon's "strong female leads" are dudes with boobs and torn shirts and that he's no feminist for this) didn't seem worth standing up against. I've also grown up with a social dialogue that's been prone to say things like, "Well, really, you're all defining YOURSELVES as an Other," or like, "Well, men can't wear dresses, how is that fair?" and not having a good rebuttal except sort of speechlessness at the ignorance in those statements.

And now I kinda do. show less

A collection of Steinem's articles and essays written between 1965 and 1982. Interesting not only for it's exploration of issues within the second-wave of feminism but also as a historical document. While I don't always agree with Steinem's stance or arguments, I did find the reading to be mentally provoking leaving me considering where I stand as a feminist.

It’s interesting how relevant these essays are to the modern feminist struggle as they were when written in the 60s, 70s and 80s. While victories have been won in the movement, many battles continue.

Gloria Steinem is a good writer and an interesting public figure. I've never been ashamed to call myself a feminist and reading this book of essays makes me proud of that. The memoir section is the strongest with its heartfelt storytelling. The profiles of five women are also intriguing. The shorter essays about issues are a bit repetitive but they do serve to remind us how far we've come since the 1970s and how far we have yet to go.

Useful advice on organising, historically interesting and even if all the issues are still relevant, the texts are anchored in the 70s and 80s and feel dated. Glad i read it, but won't recommend it to others than those with an interest in the history of feminism.