Dear John,
You’re receiving this letter at a pivotal moment for all of us at Ms.—our extraordinary new anthology 50 YEARS OF Ms.: THE BEST OF THE PATHFINDING MAGAZINE THAT IGNITED A REVOLUTION comes out this coming Tuesday!
As much a reflection of the past 50 years as it is a roadmap for the path forward, the book features five decades of the magazine’s most audacious, most norm-breaking coverage on women, men, politics (sexual and otherwise), marriage, family, education, work, motherhood, reproductive rights, LGBTQ lives, racial justice and so much more.
I had the privilege of working with a team of talented Ms. contributors and editors to compile the pieces that appear in the book—we worked together to choose the pieces we thought best captured the battles we’ve fought along the way, and the victories and setbacks we’re inspired by as we look forward to the next 50 years.
As founding editor Gloria Steinem writes in the foreword to 50 YEARS OF Ms., the response to the first issue of the magazine was “shocking.” Bags of mail from readers around the country began to arrive in the Ms. offices—more than they had room for. “The letters were irresistible to read, personal notes or small novels, as if Ms. were a friend who had entered readers’ homes,” Steinem writes. “One common theme was ‘At last, I know I’m not alone.’ A movement is a contagion of truth telling: at last, we know we are not alone.”
Fifty years later, that legacy still shines bright. Ms. remains a trusted feminist source for news, analysis and commentary, and a unique catalyst for forging community, elevating ideas and inspiring action.
To celebrate the release of 50 YEARS OF Ms., we’re bringing the feminist revolution to a bookstore or venue near you. Join us this fall—click here or look below to see where we’re going. Don’t see an event near you? Don’t worry—we’ll also be hosting virtual events later this fall. Be sure to check MsMagazine.com to stay up to date on all the latest events. We hope to see you there!
And if you just can’t wait to get your hands on your copy (which it’s not too late to pre-order, if you haven’t yet!), and want more of all things Ms., be sure to tune in to the CBS Sunday Morning show tomorrow, Sept. 17—we’ll be on air discussing 50 YEARS OF Ms., the future of feminism and more. (Click here to find a way to watch!)
Living in the midst of a backsliding democracy, with women’s rights under attack, feminist reporting that shows us that we’re not alone—that we’re in this fight together—is more important than ever. Together we will explore what the future of feminism and its journalism demands: vision that is bold, imaginative and collaborative.
Onward,
