Gloria Steinem, who came to define the women’s movement over the arc of a half century, fought for equality on many fronts. Steinem, who died this past week at the age of 92, refused to accept sports, in particular, as a patriarchy, working to create paths for equality for women who chose to compete on the same level with men.

Just this past February, hip-hop group Public Enemy enlisted Olympians to help reimagine one of its 1990s hits paying tribute to women in sports on the eve of the Milano Cortina Winter Games by changing the name of “He Got Game” to “She Got Game.” The song begins with excerpts from a Steinem speech.

Her passing on Wednesday came a week before Sportico‘s annual RISE conference, recognizing the power of women in sports and an event and those like it that owe their existence to pioneering feminists like Steinem. The event, to be held Thursday in New York City, will feature women athletes, a league commissioner and executives who are defining women’s sports in 2026.

Steinem wasn’t shy about advocating for women in sports. To celebrate that legacy, Sportico has collected some of Steinem’s most pointed quotes on the topic.

“All patriarchal cultures value weak women.” From the Los Angeles Times, 2014.

“At its deepest anthropological core, Title IX and the issue of gender equity in sports is about female strength and independence.” The Women’s Sports Foundation Gender Equity Report Card, 1997.

“Society’s acceptance of strong, healthy, muscular women—usually most visible in women playing sports—may be one of the most intimate, visceral measures of change.” The Women’s Sports Foundation Gender Equity Report Card, 1997.

“I’m going to finish this race on my hands and my knees if I have to. If I don’t finish this race, then everybody is going to believe women can’t do it. I have got to finish this race.” Steinem on running the Boston Marathon in 1975. She finished in four hours and 20 minutes. PBS, 2013.

“An increase in our physical strength could have more impact on the everyday lives of most women than the occasional role model in the boardroom or in the White House.” The Women’s Sports Foundation Gender Equity Report Card, 1997.

“For women to become physically strong is very profound.” Los Angeles Times, 2010.