Gloria Steinem was 'frail' but 'sharp' at one of her final events before her death at 92

Gloria Steinem remained a commanding presence even as she grew physically frail, according to a woman who attended one of the feminist icon’s final gatherings before her death at 92.

In February, Steinem hosted an intimate “climate talking circle” at her Upper East Side brownstone, bringing together around 15 women, including ABC News meteorologist Ginger Zee and UN adviser Charitie Ropati.

Dominique Browning, director and co-founder of Moms Clean Air Force, was among those invited to the gathering. Speaking to PEOPLE following news of Steinem’s death, Browning remembered the activist as physically frail but mentally sharp.

“To be in her presence, and she was already frail, but [she] commanded the center of the room,” Browning, 70, recalled.

The gathering was particularly meaningful to Browning because it connected Steinem’s lifelong work for justice with environmental activism. She said Steinem listened closely throughout the discussion rather than dominating it, while quietly guiding the conversation and creating a sense of connection among the women.

“She had the power of her life and her experience and her wisdom, but also she still had huge curiosity,” Browning said.

There were no side conversations during the gathering, according to Browning. The women sat together on chairs and cushions around Steinem’s comfortable armchair as they discussed environmental issues and their connections to wider social justice causes.

The setting itself also offered a glimpse into Steinem’s extraordinary life. Browning described her New York home as “magical”, filled with souvenirs, artwork and mementos collected throughout Steinem’s decades of travelling and activism.

“You walked in and she had created an entire world of her ... history, every table was covered with mementos and souvenirs and pieces of art,” Browning said.

Browning had admired Steinem since she was a teenager in the early 1970s, when Ms. magazine was the first publication she read regularly. She recalled feeling connected to a community of women who wanted greater opportunities and believed change was possible.

Looking back at Steinem’s legacy, Browning said some of the achievements associated with second-wave feminism can now be easy to overlook. She pointed to the restrictions women faced before many of those changes, including needing a man’s permission to obtain credit and the lack of legal recognition for marital rape.

While Browning said she was glad that many women can now take certain rights for granted, she warned that those gains remain fragile.

Steinem continued to embody that commitment until the end of her life. Browning said she was surprised by the news of Steinem’s death because the activist had appeared vibrant and strong during their February meeting.

“She really embraced who she was, where she was and where she had come to,” Browning said.

During the gathering, Steinem told stories, reminisced about people who had stayed at her apartment and remained funny and sharp, Browning recalled. She also maintained the directness that had characterised her public life.

“She just seemed to really appreciate the love that was pouring into that room from all of us and sending it back,” Browning said.

For Browning, Steinem’s motivation was ultimately simple: remaining engaged with the world and continuing to work towards making it better.

“It's staying engaged, it's listening and watching and doing everything you can do to make things better - however you're doing it,” she said.

Steinem died on September 2, 2026, at the age of 92. Her death marked the end of a decades-long career as a journalist, organiser and leading voice in the American feminist movement.