Design Matters with Debbie Millman 20th Anniversary celebration with activists and advocates Gloria Steinem, Anita Hill, Cindy Gallop, Sonya Passi, and Dr. Joy Buolamwini
Dec 22, 2025
Join iconic activists Gloria Steinem, Cindy Gallop, Sonya Passi, and Dr. Joy Buolamwini as they reflect on their impactful journeys. Steinem shares how her childhood molded her activism. Gallop opens up about the role of pornography in sex education and promotes healthier conversations around intimacy. Passi frames gender violence as an economic issue and highlights the importance of legal change. Buolamwini discusses her groundbreaking work uncovering bias in AI, urging us to confront the implications of surveillance technology.
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Childhood That Shaped A Life Of Activism
- Gloria Steinem described growing up with a mother who had a prolonged mental health breakdown and later addiction to tranquilizers.
- She credits books, parental kindness, and not wanting to repeat her mother's life for shaping her activism and independence.
Believing As A Tool For Change
- Anita Hill explained that systemic silencing normalizes abuse and protects perpetrators.
- She urges continued believing in better systems and in the integrity of survivors' experiences.
Talk Openly About Sex To Teach Values
- Cindy Gallop urges open, honest conversations about sex to counter porn as de facto sex education.
- She recommends socializing sex publicly and privately to teach empathy, consent, and better sexual values.
