I'm thankful for the work that feminists like Gloria Steinem

Hear the words of Amber Heard, who declared with humility and conviction: “I’m thankful for the work that feminists like Gloria Steinem have done. I am a feminist, but the geography for women today is vastly different than it was in the ’60s.” This saying, though born of modern reflection, carries the weight of an eternal struggle—the journey of women through oppression into greater freedom. Within it are threads of gratitude, identity, and the recognition of changing times, each woven into a tapestry of progress that spans generations.

The first flame in her words is thankfulness. She does not speak as though her own voice arose in isolation, but acknowledges the work of those who came before—women like Gloria Steinem, who raised banners in the turbulent winds of the 1960s. Gratitude to pioneers is the mark of wisdom, for it recognizes that today’s opportunities are the fruit of yesterday’s sacrifices. Just as ancient warriors honored the memory of those who fought before them, so must the daughters of today honor the labor of their mothers and grandmothers in the cause of justice.

The second jewel is her bold declaration: “I am a feminist.” This is no timid whisper but a claim of identity, one aligned with a tradition of resistance and renewal. To be a feminist is not merely to wear a label, but to carry forward a legacy of courage—the same courage that led suffragists to prison cells, that led writers like Simone de Beauvoir to confront ridicule, and that led Steinem herself to face relentless opposition. Amber’s words remind us that to identify as feminist is to stand in a lineage of struggle and solidarity, both ancient and ever-new.

The third truth is her recognition of changing geography. The world of the 1960s, marked by battles for reproductive rights, workplace equality, and liberation from rigid gender roles, is not the same world of today. Victories have been won, and yet new terrains have arisen—digital spaces, global perspectives, and fresh struggles for inclusivity. Just as empires shift their borders and new lands are discovered, so too does the battlefield of equality transform with each generation. She teaches us that to fight wisely, we must recognize the landscape of our time, rather than blindly repeating the battles of the past.

Consider the story of Gloria Steinem herself, who in the 1960s and ’70s became the voice of a generation. She founded Ms. Magazine, gave speeches that ignited movements, and helped pass legislation that changed the fabric of society. Without her courage, the geography Amber speaks of would never have been reshaped. And yet, even Steinem acknowledged that each generation must carve its own path, for the struggles of one era prepare the soil for the seeds of another.

The lesson, therefore, is clear: be thankful for those who labored before you, but do not imagine their battles are the same as yours. Recognize your identity with courage—whether as feminist, leader, dreamer, or warrior—and then study the terrain of your own age. The enemy may shift, the obstacles may evolve, but the spirit of justice remains the same. To honor the past is noble; to adapt it to the present is wisdom.

Practically, begin by learning the history of those who fought for the freedoms you now enjoy. Let gratitude soften your heart, but let responsibility harden your resolve. Ask yourself: what is the geography of my own time? Where do women still struggle? Where does injustice remain unseen? Then take up the mantle, not in imitation, but in innovation. Use your voice, your tools, your moment in history to press forward the cause of equality, as those before you once did.

Thus Amber Heard’s words shine as a bridge between eras: be thankful for the past, embrace your identity, and discern the geography of today. For it is in this balance that each generation fulfills its duty—to honor the legacy of those before, while forging a brighter path for those yet to come.