On Thursday evening, a group gathered at a Chelsea apartment to discuss the role of the dinner table in New York’s political and social movements. The event, held as the city enters the fall election cycle, focused on Gloria Steinem’s use of shared meals as a tool for organizing.
Steinem, now 92, has never claimed to be a passionate home cook or a food enthusiast. Instead, she has used dinners as a practical setting for building alliances and advancing causes. Attendees at last night’s discussion recalled how Steinem’s gatherings in Manhattan apartments and restaurants throughout her career provided space for activists, journalists, and policymakers to connect away from the public eye.
Those familiar with her approach described a focus on conversation over cuisine. “The food was often simple,” said Karen Pittman, an educator present on Thursday, “but what mattered was who was at the table and what was said.” In a city where power often shifts over after-hours drinks or business lunches, Steinem’s preference for small, intentional dinners set a different tone.
As the city’s political calendar intensifies this month, Steinem’s strategy remains relevant. Local candidates and advocates continue to use private meals to negotiate alliances or set agendas. Several participants at Thursday’s event noted that while the restaurant scene has changed, the dinner table still serves as neutral ground for dialogue.
The gathering ended before 9 p.m., with guests dispersing into the early September night. Outside, the mood echoed a familiar New York rhythm: conversation continuing on the sidewalk, plans for future meetings already under discussion.