90 Plus One
In the introduction to her book My Life on the Road, feminist, journalist, and activist Gloria Steinem recounts the story of Chinese women, thousands of years ago, who created their own script, known as Nüshu, or “women’s writing.” In defiance of laws that barred them from attending school, these women...
The Shift highlights women’s stories through the lens of impact. It hopes to contextualize history and inspire action.
In the introduction to her book My Life on the Road, feminist, journalist, and activist Gloria Steinem recounts the story of Chinese women, thousands of years ago, who created their own script, known as Nüshu, or “women’s writing.” In defiance of laws that barred them from attending school, these women exchanged letters in a language only they could understand. Their determination to share stories, write poetry, and cultivate friendships endured despite severe consequences, including the death penalty. Through this vignette, Steinem underscores that culture rarely shifts through a single act of rebellion, but rather through a series of small ones.
Steinem, who turned 91 this Women’s History Month, has devoted her life to documenting women’s stories. The Shift’s “90 Plus One” pays homage to Steinem by spotlighting an intergenerational, intersectional, and diverse community of women working to shift culture. As Steinem tells The Shift about this next generation of changemakers, “Sometimes I’m asked who I’m passing the torch to, and I always say: I’m keeping my torch, thank you, and using it to light the torches of others—because unless each of us has a torch, we can’t see where we’re going.” The list highlights Shiftmakers carrying their own torches such as Amal Clooney, Amanda Gorman, Billie Jean King, Olivia Rodrigo, Billie Eilish, Melinda French Gates, Vicky Tsai, and others who are using their power to illuminate a brighter future.
The Shift asked each woman on the list a series of questions about building community, envisioning the future, legacy and leadership, women who inspire them, and their reflections on Steinem’s legacy. Reflecting on her own legacy, Steinem offers: “I have no idea what my legacy will be, but I trust women—and some men too—to find something helpful within it.”
- Julianne Moore
- Lucy Liu
- Billie Eilish
- Deepika Padukone
- Olivia Rodrigo
- Angelina Jolie
- Tracee Ellis Ross
- Jessica Chastain
- Rachel Zegler
- Ilana Glazer
- Fran Drescher
- Lola Tung
- Idina Menzel
- Gabriela Hearst
- Mariska Hargitay
- Nili Lotan
- Anna Weyant
- Zoya Akhtar
- Christy Turlington Burns
- Sahra Mani
- Misty Copeland
- Lydia Fenet
- Cathy Yan
- Barbara Nessim
- V (Formerly Eve Ensler)
- Rupi Kaur
- Marie-Josée Kravis
- Abbi Jacobson
- Billie Jean King
- Gabby Thomas
- Ilona Maher
- Sunisa Lee
- Anita Elberse
- Allyson Felix
- Tammy Henault
- Heidi O’Neill
- Aly Raisman
- Melinda French Gates
- Amanda Gorman
- Amal Clooney
- Nadia Murad
- Brittany Packnett Cunningham
- Carolina García Jayaram
- Valerie Jarrett
- Quannah Chasinghorse
- Suleika Jaouad
- Sylvia Earle
- Trisha Shetty
- Jennifer Doudna
- Victoria Jackson
- Larissa May
- Zainab Salbi
- Marley Dias
- Jade Begay
- Nalleli Cobo
- Jaha Dukureh
- Geetha Murali
- Jennifer Aaker
- Gloria Walton
- Vee Kativhu
- Suzanne Barakat
- Selena Gomez
- Sabrina Dhowre Elba
- Ginny Wright
- Vanessa Kingori
- Elyse Cohen
- Jacqueline Novogratz
- Leena Nair
- Dustee Jenkins
- Ewa Abrams
- Ida Liu
- Amy Griffin
- Vicky Tsai
- Lara Balazs
- Jennifer Cunningham Cotter
- Nancy Twine
- Carolyn Everson
- Natalie Tran
- Michelle Kydd
- Jamie Domenici
- Dr. Sylvia Kwan
- Maya Penn
- Michele Anthony
- Janet Yang
- The Female Quotient
- Trisha Ayyagari
- Cynthia Tenhouse
- Seema Hingorani
- Alison Mass
- Adrienne Lofton
- Arianna Huffington