I spent yesterday evening in Gloria Steinem’s living room. It was perfect timing; the New York Times just published a piece about the magic the legendary feminist activist has created in her home over six decades—bringing together women to discuss everything from political action to childcare to women’s health.
On this night, Steinem, now 91, was surrounded by a younger generation. The gathering was hosted by Ms President US, an organization that teaches girls as young as fourth grade about civic leadership and prepares them to become leaders in their communities and even in politics. Sofia Sahai, a high-school senior in New York, founded the city’s chapter and interviewed Steinem about her leadership and life lessons.
As soon as Steinem was ready to take questions from the two dozen middle-schoolers crowded on the floor, hands shot up. Some had read her memoir My Life on the Road and wanted to ask about her experience growing up with a nomadic family that rarely put her in in-person school. Others simply wanted Steinem’s advice on handling cliques at school, on feeling like the odd one out, on running for student council, on keeping going when others don’t understand you or make fun of you.
Steinem took their questions as seriously as she takes any interview she does. She loves learning from people younger than her, she says. She had to “wait for some of her friends to be born,” she always says—and the Ms. Foundation created the very first Take Your Daughters to Work Day. Today’s youngest generation is no exception.
Ms President US was founded in the immediate aftermath of Donald Trump’s 2016 election—and many of the girls here don’t remember a time before Trump or intensely polarized American politics. Yet they’re ready to jump into civic action. One girl even asked Steinem why men run the world when women run the home; she seemed genuinely confused that the latter wouldn’t lead to the former.
The future can feel scary these days—but on New York’s Upper East Side last night, it was in good hands.
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For me, the conversation on how teen girls view the world will continue today—from a very different vantage point. I’m in Los Angeles at a summit hosted by PacSun, the popular apparel retailer led by CEO Brieane Olson. I’ll be speaking with new members of PacSun’s Youth Advisory Council, influencers with millions of followers in their teens and early 20s, about what young people want from brands today and how to capture their fandom and dollars. Teen girls contain multitudes—they’re tomorrow’s civic leaders and consumers. Stay tuned for more.
Emma Hinchliffe
emma.hinchliffe@fortune.com
The Most Powerful Women Daily newsletter is Fortune’s daily briefing for and about the women leading the business world. Subscribe here.
ALSO IN THE HEADLINES
A bipartisan bill on childcare was introduced in the Senate yesterday. Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) are behind the Child Care Modernization Act, which would expand a childcare grant program. NBC News
Hailey Bieber's Rhode was Sephora's largest debut ever. It did about $15 million in sales on its first day, breaking records set by Selena Gomez's Rare Beauty and Rihanna's Fenty. Puck
Disney and ABC's decision to indefinitely pull Jimmy Kimmel's show from the air is raising free speech concerns. Kimmel spoke about Trump's reaction to Charlie Kirk's killing in his monologue, and the F.C.C.'s chairman had said there would be "remedies to look at." The decision to pull the show was made by Disney CEO Bob Iger and television chief (and CEO contender) Dana Walden, per the New York Times.
ON MY RADAR
The fight to make men read fiction again Vulture
It took me decades to realize my doctor was a predator Marie Claire
Melania Trump's state visit hat let her hide in plain sight Financial Times
PARTING WORDS
"It’s allowed me to expand my mind and hear different perspectives. It’s been a most wonderful sidetrack to my day job."
— Lynette Howell Taylor, the new president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, on what the organization behind the Oscars has taught her about filmmaking
