Feminist Icons Gloria Steinem and Leymah Gbowee Forge 'Sister-Friend' Bond That Spans Continents
Two of the world's most prominent activists, Gloria Steinem and Leymah Gbowee, have transformed their profound personal connection into a vibrant new children's book. The project, titled "Rise, Girl, Rise: Our Sister-Friend Journey. Together For All," serves as both a joint biography and a clarion call for young readers to embrace activism and equality.
A Friendship Born from Shared Commitment
The remarkable bond between these women began approximately two decades ago, facilitated by filmmaker and fellow activist Abigail Disney. Disney, who had created a documentary about Gbowee's peace movement in Liberia, recognized an immediate kinship between the two. "Their spirits were in sync," Disney recalls, describing the pivotal introduction. "I said: 'My work is done here. You guys do your thing.'"
Despite the vast geographical distance—with Steinem based in Manhattan and Gbowee in Liberia—their friendship flourished, sustained by a mutual dedication to social justice. Gbowee, the Liberian peace activist who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2011, admits she was initially "starstruck" upon meeting Steinem, the legendary feminist figure. "Everyone knows of Gloria, regardless of which continent you come from," Gbowee told The Associated Press.
Steinem, now 91, swiftly counters any notion of hierarchy in their relationship, emphatically stating that Gbowee, 54, is the true "GLOBAL celebrity." The term "sister-friend," which Steinem credits Gbowee with inventing, perfectly encapsulates their unique connection. "It just expressed how we felt," Steinem explains with a smile.
From Kitchen Table Conversations to a Colourful Picture Book
The genesis of their collaborative book can be traced to a deeply personal conversation at Steinem's kitchen table in 2009. Gbowee was experiencing doubts about her place within the feminist movement. "I was really feeling funky about being in the feminist movement. Did I want to stay? Did I want to leave?" Gbowee recounts.
Steinem's counsel proved transformative. "One of the reasons you feel the way you're feeling is because you need a sister," Steinem told her, describing the supportive, non-transactional sisterhood she had found with figures like author Alice Walker. "That's the kind of person you need, that you can be very vulnerable with," Steinem advised. Gbowee reflects, "It was a beautiful conversation."
This foundational dialogue, combined with a desire to connect across continents, eventually evolved into the book project. During the pandemic, Gbowee began writing more seriously and connected with publisher Scholastic. When she proposed collaborating with Steinem, the publisher was immediately intrigued. "Once I said 'Gloria,' they were like, 'Do you know her?' I was like, 'Of course I know Gloria!'" Gbowee recalls with amusement.
Illustrating Diverse Childhoods and Universal Messages
Illustrated vividly by artist Kah Yangni, "Rise, Girl, Rise" juxtaposes the activists' formative years. The book depicts a young Steinem traveling across the United States in a trailer with her antique-dealer father, passing "miles of highways, fruit stands, gas stations, diners." In contrast, it shows Gbowee's childhood in Liberia, "a land rich with timber, ripe with hopes for a new tomorrow."
Both narratives converge on themes of witnessing injustice and developing a resolve to combat it. Steinem reveals an unconventional education, not attending regular school until roughly the sixth grade. "I think my family thought because I was always reading books in the back seat, that was enough," she notes, adding wryly, "Well, I'm probably still lousy at math."
A Book for a New Generation of Activists
While the title "Rise, Girl, Rise" might suggest a focus on female readers, both authors emphasize its universal appeal. "I think boys could tolerate that title, too," Steinem laughs, pointing out that girls have long read books like The Hardy Boys. Gbowee plans to read it to her young grandchildren, aged five and seven. "The message of love and acceptance and everything else is something I want to pass on to them," she states.
The book arrives as Steinem continues to host activist meetings in her Manhattan home, focusing on pressing political issues. She highlights one persistent anomaly: "We live in a democracy that's one of the few in the world that's never had a female elected leader. That's kind of ridiculous. I mean, we're choosing from half the country's talent."
Ultimately, "Rise, Girl, Rise" is a testament to the power of cross-generational, cross-continental solidarity. It channels the "sister-friend" bond between two iconic women into an inspiring, colourful resource designed to empower the activists of tomorrow.
