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Gloria Feldt (born April 13, 1942) is an American author, Best Sellers: Hard Cover Nonfiction (#11), The New York Times, March 2, 2008. Public speaker, commentator, and Feminism activist who gained recognition as a social and political advocate of women's rights. In 2013, she and Amy Litzenberger founded Take the Lead, a nonprofit initiative with a goal to propel women to leadership parity by 2025. She is a former CEO and president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, directing the organization from 1996 to 2005.
Feldt joined Planned Parenthood in 1974 at the Permian Basin Planned Parenthood office (now Planned Parenthood of West Texas). Beginning in 1978, she headed the organization's Central Northern Arizona office. "Her superlative compassion and conviction," according to Women in the World Foundation, "combined with her intelligence and charisma, have carried her from teenage motherhood in West Texas to a thirty-year career with the reproductive health provider and advocacy group Planned Parenthood Federation of America." "Woman of the Week: Gloria Feldt," Women in the World Foundation, January 24, 2012. Feldt ran the Central Northern Arizona Planned Parenthood office during a time when family planning was becoming increasingly controversial and politically charged. During this time, she travelled with a bodyguard and avoided working in well-lit, open offices with large windows which could be targeted by protestors. "The Making of a Political Activist," Ms. magazine, Spring 2003.
From 1996 to 2005, Feldt was CEO and president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America. She was the architect of contraceptive coverage by insurance. "Lawsuit Alleges Bias Over Refusal To Pay For Contraceptives," Chicago Tribune, July 20, 2000. "Driving the Conversation," Politico, February 9, 2012.
She was active early in her career in the civil rights movement. "Interview with Gloria Feldt," The Daily Femme!, October 4, 2010. Feldt often comments on women's issues, including in a June 2012 Salon online magazine article. "No ideology to see here!," Salon, June 4, 2012. MSNBC interviewed her for a piece about the War on Women that aired March 19, 2012. "Former Planned Parenthood Pres to FCC: Fire Rush!" MSNBC, March 19, 2012. The New York Times' Adriana Gardella did a Q&A with Feldt in 2010, featuring her in the newspaper's business section. "Where Is the Female Steve Jobs?" New York Times, October 4, 2010.
As president of Take The Lead, Feldt oversees learning programs, mentoring, networking, and role modelling programs for women. She is a professor at Arizona State University, where she teaches the course Women, Power, and Leadership. "Feldt interviewed on KJZZ-FM" ASU News. She also serves on the boards of the Women's Media Center and the Jewish Women's Archive and on the advisory board of Our Bodies, Ourselves.
In addition to speaking engagements, she tours with an intergenerational feminist panel titled WomenGirlsLadies. "Feminists bring multigenerational perspective to reopen dialogue," ASU News, October 6, 2009.
Feldt has written several books. Her latest, No Excuses: 9 Ways Women Can Change How We Think About Power, was published by Seal Press in October 2010. (2012). 9781580053884, Basic Books. ISBN 9781580053884
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