In an insightful interview with NPR, Jim Colucci, author of All in the Family: The Show That Changed Television, highlighted Stapleton’s personal evolution during her time on the show. “She came from a Christian Science background, leading a quiet life in Pennsylvania’s theater scene. Through her exposure to Hollywood and the pressing social issues depicted in All in the Family, she became increasingly aware of women’s rights and social justice,” Colucci explained.
Stapleton’s growth was so profound that by the mid-1970s, she was appointed to the National Commission on the Observance of International Women’s Year during the Carter administration. Recognizing the platform her role afforded her, Stapleton felt a deep obligation to use her fame for good. “When fame struck, I had no idea it would bring me so many opportunities to engage in society,” she said in an interview with The Charlotte Observer. “I found it easy to embrace the women’s movement—feminism—because I’m a woman. Equal rights is simply a matter of justice.”
As both Edith and Jean blossomed into advocates, they reflected the changing social landscape of their time, reminding audiences of the importance of listening, understanding, and standing up for what is right.
