Quote of the Day by Gloria Steinem: No roles other than those chosen or earned

Published 1 June 2026 · us

Gloria Steinem’s quote, “We are talking about a society in which there will be no roles other than those chosen, or those earned,” is one

Gloria Steinem’s quote, “We are talking about a society in which there will be no roles other than those chosen, or those earned,” is one of the clearest expressions of feminist humanism. Delivered in her 1971 “Address to the Women of America,” the line argues that people should not be trapped by gender, race, class or inherited expectations. For modern readers, the quote is a powerful reminder that freedom means the right to define one’s life through choice, ability and dignity. Quote of the day “We are talking about a society in which there will be no roles other than those chosen, or those earned. We are really talking about humanism.” Gloria Steinem The quote comes from Steinem’s “Address to the Women of America,” delivered on July 10, 1971, in Washington, D.C., at the founding of the Women’s Political Caucus. Quote of the day today and why it matters Gloria Steinem’s quote matters because it challenges one of society’s oldest habits: assigning people a life before they have chosen it for themselves. For centuries, people have been told who they should be based on gender, caste, class, race, family background, marriage, motherhood, masculinity, tradition or social approval. Steinem’s line rejects that fixed script. She imagines a world where identity is not imposed, but chosen; where respect is not inherited through privilege, but earned through ability, character and contribution. That is why the quote remains powerful today. It is not only about women’s rights. It is about human freedom. Meaning behind the quote The quote means that a just society should not force people into roles they did not choose.

A woman should not be told that her highest purpose is only domestic. A man should not be told that tenderness makes him weak. A child should not inherit limits based on class, race, caste, family income or gender. A worker should not be reduced to cheap labour because society has decided their group is “lesser.” The phrase “chosen, or earned” is central. Steinem is saying that roles should come from freedom and merit, not from stereotypes. A person’s place in the world should be shaped by their choices, talents, work and dreams — not by labels placed on them at birth. Life lessons from Gloria Steinem’s quote 1. Do not let society assign your identity Many people spend years trying to fit into roles others created for them. Steinem’s quote asks us to question those roles and choose a life that feels honest. 2. Equality is not sameness Steinem is not saying everyone must live the same way. She is saying everyone should have the freedom to choose their way without being punished for breaking tradition. 3. Freedom requires unlearning Social roles often feel natural because they are repeated for generations. But many of them are learned expectations, not universal truths. Real freedom begins when people learn to ask: Who benefits from this role, and did I choose it? 4. Human dignity must come before labels The quote’s final phrase, “We are really talking about humanism,” makes the message broader. Steinem is asking for a society where every person is treated first as a full human being.