As late as 1974, women were not allowed to have a bank account, a credit card, or sign a mortgage without the help of a man. Young women might view this as a bygone era, but generations before us know that these rights are not guaranteed. We fought for them. And as we have seen in recent yearsthey can be taken away.

For society to create lasting change, we must go through life appreciating the pathways created for us. Intergenerational relationships allow us to harness the confidence of life experience while possessing the courage of youth. Research found that older people with younger friends can feel younger themselves and can be healthier because of it. Sharing the diversity of life experiences with people of different ages, careers and backgrounds is essential to building a foundation of support for the issues we care about most.

This is the foundation of The changea new biannual impact publication and community. The Shift aims to create spaces that bring together intergenerational and diverse people who can learn from each other. On October 16, activist Gloria Steinem, legendary fashion photography duo Inez and Vinoodh, and social entrepreneur Shilpa Yarlagadda came together for the group’s inaugural event at L’Avenue at Saks in New York, bringing together historic icons and current pop culture changemakers to honor Steinem’s work. the legacy of a lifetime of struggle for women’s rights. By juxtaposing historical icons with today’s pop culture changemakers, The Shift builds a platform that contextualizes the path women have previously blazed and inspires today’s desire for action.

As climate advocate Sophia Li said of the event: “Intergenerational mixing is vital to the heart of The Shift as it fosters mutual respect. At the end of the evening, Millennials and Boomers had confirmed their presence at Z-Con (a conference celebrating Generation Z) and contacts were exchanged to continue the movement started by Gloria Steinem, passing the torch to the next generation so that we can carry this weight together.

By sharing women’s stories, The Shift honors the fluidity of progress, intersectionality, and ultimately, impact. At the center of every success, failure, reward or reorientation, women can see what is possible for themselves and for the collective. “It is very important for younger generations, especially young women, to realize the power we have to shape the future,” said dinner guest and popular YouTuber Xuân-Mai Phạm. “Learning from people like Gloria Steinem shows me that when we speak up and stand up for equality, we can really make a difference. It’s not just about individual success, but also about creating space for other women to thrive as well.