Gloria Steinem is now the author of another book, My Life on the Road, chronicling her stories as a world traveler and what she learned about social change along the way.
Steinem dedicated her book to Dr. John Sharpe, the doctor who helped her get an abortion in 1957 before the procedure was legal in the United States.
A very moving dedication
She recalled something he said to her when agreeing to give the abortion, "You must promise me two things. First, you will not tell anyone my name. Second, you will do what you want to do with your life."
And now, 58 years later, she replied, "Dear Dr. Sharpe, I believe you, who knew the law was unjust, would not mind if I say this so long after your death: I've done the best I could with my life. This book is for you."
Here's a full transcription of the dedication:
Dr. John Sharpe of London, who in 1957, a decade before physicians in England could legally perform an abortion for any reason other than the health of the woman, took the considerable risk of referring for an abortion a twenty-two-year-old American on her way to India.
Knowing that she had broken an engagement at home to seek an unknown fate, he said, "You must promise me two things. First, you will not tell anyone my name. Second, you will do what you want to do with your life."
Dear Dr. Sharpe, I believe you, who knew the law was unjust, would not mind if I say this so long after your death: I've done the best I could with my life.
This book is for you.
At a recent interview with Cosmopolitan's editor-in-chief, Steinem read it out loud to an audience full of listeners:
Gloria Steinem reading her powerful book dedication out loud will make you cry #hearstmasterclass
Readers have also expressed they find the dedication powerful and moving:
Gloria Steinem's dedication page for her new book had me in tears. Amazing. #prochoice h/t @KTravisBallie
Teared up at the dedication of Gloria Steinem's new book
You've all seen the dedication on @GloriaSteinem's new book? https://t.co/21Z4xKy228
The first book dedication that almost made me cry. Thank you, Gloria Steinem:
My Life on the Road is on sale now.
