Good Morning America on Friday actually noticed a controversy involving the very pro-abortion feminist Gloria Steinem. Clothing company Lands' End was forced to apologize for featuring Steinem in its spring issue. Reporter Rebecca Jarvis explained what caused the outrage from pro-life Americans: “An interview with feminist, journalist and political activist Gloria steinem after customers flooded Facebook with outrage over Steinem's pro-abortion rights stance.”
Jarvis allowed complaints from conservatives, including,“You are not family friendly. I feel betrayed.” But the journalist also included a complaint from Mashable business editor Heidi Moore.
She attacked Lands' End for backing down: “What Gloria Steinem represents, more broadly, is women's rights and feminism. It would be a shame if they backed away from it just to avoid controversy.”
A transcript of the February 26 segment is below:
8:04
AMY ROBACH: Well, now to a controversy involving retailer Lands’ End. The company responding to a backlash after featuring feminist Gloria Steinem in its catalog. ABC’s Rebecca Jarvis has that story.
REBECCA JARVIS: This morning, popular outerwear and clothing company Lands’ End at its wit's end. The retailer known for glossy catalogs like this one apologizing for what's inside the new spring issue: An interview with feminist, journalist and political activist Gloria steinem after customers flooded Facebook with outrage over Steinem's pro-abortion rights stance. Overnight, Lands' End releasing this statement: “It was never our intention to raise a divisive political or religious issue. So when some of our customers saw the recent promotion that way, we heard them. We sincerely apologize for any offense.”
HEIDI MOORE (Business editor, Mashable): It's very clear whatever Lands' End was trying to do here backfired because they had to pull it. This is not a stance that they really wanted associated with their brand.
JARVIS: Angry customers writing on Facebook, “You are not family friendly. I feel betrayed.” After pulling the interview from its website, Lands' End facing new backlash on social media. “So weak,” a spokesperson for Gloria Steinem declining to comment overnight.
MOORE: What Gloria Steinem represents, more broadly, is women's rights and feminism. It would be a shame if they backed away from it just to avoid controversy.
JARVIS: For Good Morning America, Rebecca Jarvis, ABC News, New York.
