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Women's Suffrage Museum Events & Cultural Center

Mission statement for Suffrage Coalition Inc.’s Project: Women’s Suffrage Museum – Events & Culture Center - Locate and preserve the epic history of the movement that brought democracy to the other half of our citizens. Use accurate, immersive storytelling to inspire future generations to value their rights and faithfully perform their duties as citizens.

The 1991 Story: How Wanda Sobieski brought Gloria Steinem to Knoxville

Sep 9, 2026 | Media and Press

Ellie Smeal, Gloria Steinem, Wanda Sobieski

In 1991, attorney Wanda Sobieski was hosting a meeting of her women's law group when she suggested they should honor Susan B. Anthony's Birthday (Feb. 15th). The group loved the idea and began tossing around names of possible speakers. Most people were thinking locally -- but Wanda wasn't built for small thinking.  She challenged them to think of who they would like to spend the day with. Then, answering for herself she said: 

"Let's shoot for the moon," "Let's invite Gloria Steinem."

Everyone agreed it was a wonderful dream, but no on e- including Wanda - believed they could actually get her. Still, Wanda's philosophy has always been- think big and try anyway.

So, she started digging and found a phone number for MS Magazine. She dialed it, expecting a secretary or an answering machine.

Instead, Gloria Steinem picked up the phone.
Gloria Steinem

Wanda explained who she was, why she was calling, and that Knoxville wanted to honor Susan B. Anthony. To Wanda's astonishment, Gloria, who was on a short deadline for her new book, agreed to come, but explained she would need to stay for 3-4 days to finish her book. Wanda was thrilled.

 From that moment, Wanda handled everything - travel, logistics, and even hosting Gloria in her guest house a quiet place where Gloria continued working on Revolution from Within.  On the day of the event, Wanda arranged for Gloria to enter the Tennessee Theatre discreetly through the back to avoid protestors. But Gloria refused.  

 "No," she said. "I'll walk down Gay Street."

 Wanda was worried -- protestors had gathered -- she tried to shield Gloria from them. But Gloria walked straight toward the crowd, introduced herself, and asked each person their name. Wanda watched in disbelief as the protestors simply...folded. They melted away, disarmed by Gloria's calm presence and humanity. 

It became one of the most unforgettable moments in Knoxville's women's history -and a perfect example of Wanda's tenacity, courage, and belief that you aim high, you ask boldly, and sometimes the world says "yes'. 

Over the years, Wanda stayed in touch with Gloria Steinem and with the subsequent owners of Ms. Magazine. 

Gloria embodied the very best of leadership - principled, passionate, and fully committed to every issue she championed. Their continued connection reflected the mutual respect between two women who never hesitated to stand up, speak out, and put in the work to move history forward.

Thank you, Gloria Steinem for your interest in our community, your grace under pressure, your kindness and respect, even for those who would protest against you. Thank you for demonstrating what calm and kindness can do to make us all better.

A Look Back

Pauline Perlmutter Steinem

FromPauline to Ruth to Gloria

My name is Pauline Perlmutter Steinem - Gloria Steinam's grandmother. I was born in 1866 in Poland, one of several children in a Jewish family that believed deeply in learning, dignity, and tradition. My father was a traveling antique dealer & operated a lakeside summer resort in Michigan — a hardworking man who kept our family afloat through long days and careful bookkeeping. We were not wealthy, but our home was rich in the things that mattered: faith, community, and the belief that education could change a life.
When we immigrated to America and settled in Toledo, Ohio, I was still a young girl. In our home, the Sabbath was sacred, books were treasured, and every child was expected to help the others learn. As a middle daughter, I became a bridge — helping younger siblings' study, helping my mother with the household, and helping my father with his shop.
Formal colleges were not open to women, so I educated myself wherever I could. I joined synagogue study circles, read borrowed books late into the night, and helped organize Jewish women’s clubs where learning was shared freely. I discovered early that knowledge gives a woman courage, and courage gives her purpose.
My activism began quietly — teaching immigrant women English, helping mothers advocate for their children, and encouraging young women to believe in their own abilities. Those small acts grew into leadership roles in Toledo’s women’s clubs, and as President of my local Suffrage club, where I fought publicly for education, child welfare, and women’s equality. I believed that when women strengthen their communities, they strengthen the nation.
My daughter, Ruth, grew up watching me organize meetings, write letters, and speak for women’s rights. She inherited my love of learning. She graduated from Western Reserve University — a rare achievement for a woman of her time — and became a newspaper journalist. Her activism was intellectual, expressed through essays and cultural commentary. But her life was shaped by mental illness, and the world was not kind to women struggling with this type of health issue.  When Gloria, as young as ten years old, was left to be her mother's primary care giving, her suffering became part of my granddaughter’s activism.
Gloria was only six years old when I died. She remembers me the way children remember strong women — as a presence, a story, a legend. She grew up hearing about my work from her mother and from her older sister, Suzanne, who became a social worker and child welfare advocate. Suzanne’s activism was quiet, rooted in compassion and community care.
Three generations of women shaped Gloria: I fought publicly. Ruth fought intellectually. Suzanne fought quietly. Gloria fought globally.
Perhaps that is where her fire began — in the quiet determination of the women who came before her. In the values passed down at the Sabbath table. In the books shared between sisters. In the memory of a grandmother, she barely knew, but whose spirit she carried into the world.
I (Pauline) was part of the generation that fought, won, and then lived long enough to see the World Begin to Change.

My name is Pauline Steinem. 

And this is where Gloria’s story begins.