Statement from Candy Emmons, Executive Director of the Democratic Party of Oregon, on the Passing of Gloria Steinem

For Immediate Release
Thursday, September 3, 2026
Contact: [email protected]

Portland, OR - Following news today of the passing of feminist writer and activist Gloria Steinem, Democratic Party of Oregon Executive Director Candy Emmons released the following statement:

"Gloria Steinem spent her life pushing American politics to make room for women, not only as voters, but as candidates, organizers, and leaders. In 1971, she co-founded the National Women's Political Caucus to bring more women into elected office and positions of political power. Her work helped establish what should now be unquestionable: women belong in every room where decisions are made and power is held.

"Her influence on the Democratic Party runs deep. Our continued work to elect women and ensure they are represented throughout party leadership is rooted in the movement she helped build more than fifty years ago.

"Although I never had the chance to meet Gloria Steinem, I have never known a world without the doors she opened. I have no doubt that I am in the position I am in today because she and generations of women alongside her cleared the ground beneath our feet. We are grateful for her life's work, and we will honor it by continuing to build on what she began."

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