Gloria Steinem, the 92-year-old feminist activist and Ms. magazine founder, hosted a private gathering at her home focused on the Haudenosaunee Confederacy's governance system, which includes women in leadership roles. The event included Mohawk Bear Clan Mother Louise McDonald Herne and Michelle Schenandoah from the Oneida Nation Wolf Clan, creator of a PBS show on rematriation.
Attendees included a Dutch diplomat, a publisher, an impact investor, and comedian Baratunde Thurston, alongside members of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. Steinem has hosted similar discussions for decades, with recent topics covering AI and sexual desire.
The discussion centered on Indigenous women's voices and philosophies, highlighting a governance model that contrasts with Western political structures. No specific outcomes or policy proposals were reported from the event.
This gathering underscores ongoing efforts to elevate Indigenous perspectives in mainstream discourse. It reflects a broader trend of cross-cultural dialogue on alternative governance systems.
Steinem, who rose to prominence in the 1960s and'70s feminist movement, continues to facilitate conversations on social justice and democracy.