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Women: A Journal of Liberation

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Women: A Journal of Liberation

Founded in 1968 by four women, Women: A Journal of Liberation is one of the earliest second-wave North American women's journals. Started by Dee Ann Mims, Donna Keck, Vicki Pollard, and Carmen Arbona in Baltimore after attending one of the first Women's Liberation Conferences. Citing a gap in the market for a national feminist publication and a need for a communications network for the second-wave feminist movement, the four got to work. The first issue was published in August of 1969. [1][2][3]

Women: A Journal of Liberation
Place of PublicationBaltimore, MD
TypeJournal (Periodical)
ISSN0043-7433
OCLC1696334

Beginning as a quarterly publication, the journal reduced its prints to three per year, cycling a collective of volunteer contributors of 9-15 for each issue. By the end, over 100 people had contributed to the periodical.[1]

3,000 copies of the first issue were printed, reaching 20,000 in its peak,[1] considering it a popular alternative press magazines for its time.

Specific Stance and Editorial Content

The foundations of the Feminine Mystique made up the foundations of the journal's ideology in conjunction with the liberal feminist stance of NOW (National Organization of Women).[2]

Taking the position of the socialist feminist, the journal was oriented toward working-class women. specific positions on subjects fluctuated as a result of the revolving collective of contributors which assisted in providing diverse, but radical feminist discourse. The collective itself espoused cultural feminism as a practice and as a way to differentiate themselves from other popular feminist organizations.[2]

Each issue revolved around particular themes or topics which included: nature vs. nurture, history of the women's liberation movement, arts, ageing, homosexuality, work, politics, and more.[2] Issues often included contributions from prominent feminist thinkers.

The collective at Women: A Journal of Liberation differentiated itself from other collectives, rejecting separation from heterosexuals in order to be inclusive to all women and feminists in Baltimore which garnered both praise and criticism from different groups. [4]

Why Women: A Journal of Liberation Ended

As a result of the process, collective structure, and anti-capitalist stance of the collective, the journal failed to gain enough profit to continue. Citing an inadequate business model, advertising policy, and costly distribution arrangements, the collective was more concerned with getting the magazine made well and distributed to its subscribers than it was with making money.[1]

Noted Contributors

  1. ^ a b c d Blanchard, Margaret (1992). "Speaking the Plural: The Example of "Women: A Journal of Liberation"". NWSA Journal. 4 (1): 84–97. ISSN 1040-0656.
  2. ^ a b c d Rothstein, Vivian; Weisstein, Naomi; Diggs, Elizabeth; McKown, Janice; Hoke, Mardon; Barbara; Judy; Kathy; Shirley; Sue; Fuchs, Jo Ann; Valentine; Nower, Joyce; Rowell, Carol; Oats, Marnie (1971,07,01). "Women: A Journal of Liberation: Women: A Journal of Liberation". Independent Voices. Reveal Digital. 2 (4). {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  3. ^ "Chapter 3 | The Women's Institute for Freedom of the Press". Retrieved 2024-06-25.
  4. ^ Clark, L. A. (2007). Beyond the Gay/Straight Split: Socialist Feminists in Baltimore. NWSA Journal, 19(2).
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