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Home › Entertainment

Question of the Day | 09/27/2009 12:00 am

What living American woman has had the biggest impact on our lives?

Join Liz Smith, Judith Martin and Joan Ganz Cooney and tell us: Who is the one woman who has truly impacted us?
© Shutterstock
Joan Ganz Cooney

Joan Ganz Cooney | 09/20/2009 12:00 am

The One Woman Who Had the Biggest Impact on Joan Ganz Cooney's Life

For me, that would be Gloria Steinem.
comments3 Comments
Judith Martin

Judith Martin | 09/20/2009 12:00 am

Judith Martin on Mothers and Daughters

Let us hope that each of our daughters would answer this question as we would wish.
comments4 Comments
Liz Smith

Liz Smith | 09/20/2009 12:00 am

Liz Smith on Living and Dead Feminists

This is a tough one. I think the still-living feminist Gloria Steinem and the now-dead women who fought for women’s suffrage changed our lives the most for the better. Thank God!
comments6 Comments
Read more about: Change the World, Heroes, Leadership, women

130 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

Frannie Em

Unfortunately, the one who had the biggest impact was my adoptive mother and she is no longer with us.  It would have to be my sister Suzanne and my sister-in-law Donna.  Their love, integrity and intelligence made all the difference in my life.

I appreciate all the feminists, but long before them were my aunts, grandmother and mother who all owned businesses, took no s@** from men and never let a barrier stand in their way.  Maybe they didn’t move large mountains and get tremendous recognition, but they didn’t need it.   

 

By Frannie Em on 09/25/2009 1:32 am
Chris Glass`
Women today are making an impact in every section of society from sports to space. It seems unfair to select just one as having an impact. My vote would have to be Sally Ride, She demonstrated that women could break the glass ceiling in NASA.
By Chris Glass` on 09/25/2009 5:03 am
Andy C
I think Gloria Steinem and, in a negative way, Sarah Palin.
By Andy C on 09/25/2009 5:52 am
Maria Spalding

x2 - AMEN!

By Maria Spalding on 09/25/2009 3:48 pm
Star Lawrence
First, Steinem came to mind, but she got married and sort of off track. Then Sarah, second, but in a positive way as someone who stands up and tries to right wrongs, even in her own party and even when ridiculously attacked and besmirched. Yes, I know—I am also a moose-chomping idiot for liking her, etc. I’ve heard it all. 
By Star Lawrence on 09/27/2009 10:29 am
Andy C
a "PS" if I may — my daughters have a huge impact in my life.  I’ve learned to deal with adversity from them as well as to eke out every drop of joy in a given situation.
By Andy C on 09/25/2009 5:55 am
Cindy Marek

I was a small child during Gloria Steinem’s heyday, but based what I know of her and others’ comments, I’ll say "Gloria Steinem."

Hillary Clinton is definitely another. I was so proud of her Presidential campaign success and still wish she were our first female President.

By Cindy Marek on 09/25/2009 6:17 am
caren gittleman
Oprah Winfrey
By caren gittleman on 09/25/2009 7:22 am
joyce brandt
i do think oprah comes to my mind first, but barara walters and diane sawyers  have been ther for as long as i can remember.  we all need some one to come into our homes esp  midddle class the few left of us and make us feel like we matter and these women can do that.  As i grow older  all u really has is a good book a stiff drink, and soem entertaining tv once in a while,  o yea and my wonderful grandkids   
By joyce brandt on 09/25/2009 10:34 pm
caren gittleman
Yep Barbara Walters, Diane Sawyer….I also agree with Gloria Steinhem, Maya Angelou, and I agree with whomever said there are actually too many to pick, oh yes and of course Hillary Clinton
By caren gittleman on 09/26/2009 8:55 am
Star Lawrence
To me, Oprah has given us the gift of being able to admire Oprah as much as we want to.
By Star Lawrence on 09/27/2009 10:30 am
Paul Smith
Angela Davis and Camille Paglia are two living extraordinary women, who continue a tradition of challenging established and accepted tihinking and policies.  Ms. Davis in particular struggles that the voices of millions of unheard poverty bound women of color may one day find voice.
By Paul Smith on 09/25/2009 7:54 am
Laura Ward
It would have been nice to say Geraldine Ferraro, but she did nothing about the failed presidential race. In fairness to her, maybe there was nothing she could do in those days. Hillary Clinton made a great dent in the Presidential race and she continues to do so afterwards as Secretary of State. I still have hopes for Sarah Palin. However, these days, she’s as polarizing as Hillary once was. Hope Sarah can overcome that the way Hillary did.
By Laura Ward on 09/25/2009 8:56 am
S A
Gloria Stienem, Hillary Clinton, and my daughter Samantha
By S A on 09/25/2009 9:03 am
Beth Cornell
I would say, Kathie Lee Gifford for one. My niece for another.
By Beth Cornell on 09/25/2009 9:18 am
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