An email from CFW Executive Director Jess Black to the CFW team. Gloria Steinem was a regular contributor to Conferences for Women events over the years. She passed away on September 2, 2026.
Hi team,
I am sure most of you saw the heartbreaking news about the magnificent Gloria Steinem.
I will forever remember 2010, where she unexpectedly sauntered into the Speaker’s Lounge, cool as a cucumber, with her groovy shades, rocking a leather bomber and a huge smile on her face. Warm, kind, authentic. Needing and wanting absolutely nothing — not even her pre-arranged escort waiting for her at the hotel.
She was just happy to be with us. And thrilled to sit at a table and talk about everything and absolutely nothing. I was in awe, trying to be present but in the background. Danielle and I were running around like lunatics, managing the speaker’s lounge, breakouts, keynote, alone on an island (the days before we were staffed up). It was probably our first or second event for the two of us at CFW.
In my 16 + years at CFW, we’ve worked with so many speakers across all walks of life. The stories we have!
But Gloria… she stands out in my memory. A true icon and a special woman down to her core, and it was apparent in how she interacted with us, attendees, everyone.
Gloria Steinem changed the world for women around the globe. And she definitely made her mark at CFW over and over throughout the last two decades.
And we are all better as a result.
I took the attached photo with Gloria from the Speaker’s Lounge at that first Conference. This and her book sit perched on the bookshelf in my office.
A subtle reminder every day that remarkable women are out there being the change the world needs. And a very important reminder that our work is important and needed, now more than ever.
It has been a rough couple of years for all of us. Everyone is grinding and giving our all. It’s easy to feel discouraged and exhausted – and to lose sight of why we do what we do.
So yes, Gloria impacted the CFW team, but our ability to bring her to so many Conferences through the years was a gift we shared with thousands in our community. We were able to change lives as a result. The work we did together.
And while this email may be a bit sappy, it felt important to share with all of you. Today is a moment to pause and to reflect – please give yourselves the space to do that. And know that I am grateful for the role each of you play in being the change the world needs now.
XOs
Jess
