Dear John,

As we sit here with our reporters and editors two days after the election, it’s impossible to report on or predict all the winners and losers. A full picture simply won’t be known the time this email reaches you.

However, we want you to know: The team at Ms. isn’t sitting around just waiting for the results.

We’ve already begun moving swiftly on the digging, reporting and story assignments to prepare for what could be the most challenging and dangerous “lame duck” period for women and for equality in our nation’s history. 

And if Joe Biden wins the White House as appears likely, Ms. must be prepared to be a critical information source on strategies and ideas to advance equality and rebuild our nation as a country that is more equal and just than ever before. 

Reporting on this critical post-election period and in the early weeks of the new administration, is a herculean task. And we’re up to it. In fact, we can do no less because so much is at stake for women and for equality.

This is why I hope I can depend on you to help us meet what will be extraordinary budget demands. You can do this by chipping in to help us launch the Ms. Emergency Reporting Fund. 

Frankly, we had no choice but to set this fund—even before all the election results are known. Why? Because we’re absolutely sure that if Trump is defeated, on their way out of town, the reactionary administration will do all it can to turn back the clock on women’s rights and equality.

That’s why we hope you will chip in $5, $10, $20 or even $50 to get the Ms. Emergency Reporting Fund rolling.

We must get ready right now. We can’t wait for all the returns and for the post-election analysis. We must make sure you and our other readers get full, updated information each day online and in our daily newsletter, each week in our weekly digest and, of course, in our print edition and popular podcast, On The Issues with Michele Godwin.

With your support, we’ll quickly alert our readers to the threats and opportunities during the lame duck period between now and when the new president is inaugurated and a new Congress is convened in January.

What’s more, we know there will be victories to celebrate in the days ahead. We’ll tell you about the massive turnout of women voters and the decisive role of the gender gap in the election outcome.

In short, together women made one hell of a winning difference.

Our opponents will use the lame duck period—the time between now and when a new President is inaugurated, and a new Congress convenes—to do as much damage as they can.

This is why we’ve rushed to set up the special Ms. Emergency Reporting Fund, and why I’m urging your immediate help with whatever size contribution you can make.

Although feminists can claim victories today, we don’t have a moment to lose in taking the critical next step and preparing for the Lame Duck Congress: whether it’s the Trump Administration’s continued attacks on Title IX aimed at gutting protections against sex discrimination and sexual assault and sexual harassment… or the Administration’s continued efforts to dismantle the Affordable Care Act… or Trump’s attack on the legitimacy of the election.

What every reporter, editor and digital expert here at Ms. absolutely agrees on about this election is that there is much work to be done during the lame duck period as we prepare to move forward in 2021.

Our drive for guaranteeing equality starts with being as fully prepared and informed as possible. So, before you do anything else, please let us know you’ll join with us in launching Ms. Emergency Reporting Fund. 

Help ensure Ms. remains strong and independent during this period of challenge and change.

Together we have made a difference. Together we will finish the job.

For equality,

Kathy Spillar
Executive Editor

P.S. With so much at stake please help us open the new chapter by joining us as part of the Ms. Emergency Reporting Fund. Thank you.