Final answer:
The blank in Irina Dunn's slogan is filled with 'bicycle,' symbolizing the idea of women's independence and challenging traditional societal norms. Gloria Steinem, while not the creator of the slogan, is a significant figure in the feminist movement and has played a key role in advancing women's rights and addressing gender stereotypes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The slogan coined by Australian writer Irina Dunn and often misattributed to Gloria Steinem is: "A woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle." This phrase became an iconic statement in feminist literature, symbolizing the independence of women and challenging the notion that a woman's value and completeness are determined by her relationship to a man. The filled in blank is 'bicycle.'
Gloria Steinem, a prominent figure in the feminist movement and a strong advocate for women's rights and reproductive choice, became an influential voice through her journalism and as the founder of Ms. magazine. Steinem played a crucial role in shaping the narrative around feminism and confronting gender stereotypes, yet the aforementioned slogan stands out as a hallmark of feminist sentiment regarding self-sufficiency and the challenge to societal norms that define women's roles in relation to men.