This article was originally published in the September 2023 print edition.
Ms. Magazine is celebrating its 50th anniversary in style — embarking on a nationwide book tour for 50 Years of Ms. that brings together feminists, activists and curious minds alike. On Sept. 28 the tour came to Smith, which was inadvertently called “Ms. University” during the event, demonstrating the longstanding relationship between the institutions.
Featured panelists were Ms. contributing editor and Sylvia Dlugasch Bauman Chair of American Studies and Professor of the Study of Women and Gender at Smith Carrie N. Baker, consulting digital editor Carmen Rios and Ms. contributors Janell Hobson, Jakson Katz and Smith Professor of the Study of Women & Gender Loretta J. Ross. The event offered a retrospective look into the trailblazing work of Ms., while also demonstrating its current and future necessity in the fight for equality in all spheres of life.
Feminist activists of the past, present and future from all ages and backgrounds made their way to Wright Hall for the event, demonstrating that Ms. really is the connective tissue that embodies the movement for personhood and freedom for all. Afterall, “Ms. is not just a journalistic institution, it’s a movement institution,” says Katz.
The panelists emphasized that women cannot fight a system that they do not know exists and actively works against them. The fight for justice begins with knowledge and awareness, and thus, Ms. was born.
The inaugural issue of Ms. was published on July 1st, 1972. The magazine was an instant hit, selling out and garnering nearly 20,000 letters in response in one week. For a generation of women, Ms. opened up their worlds — they realized they were not alone in their experiences and became connected to a movement larger than they could ever fathom.
“It’s not me, it’s the world. I feel as if I found my people when it first came out,” said Wendy Sinton, an attendee from Florence, MA who has been proudly reading Ms. ever since its first issue. Per the panel discussion, the expansion of feminist consciousness is central to the mission of the magazine. Feminist consciousness is not a one-size-fits-all concept. It varies among individuals and can develop and evolve over time. Ultimately, the concept refers to a deepened recognition of systemic inequalities and collective action in working towards a world where all individuals have equal rights and opportunities.
“Something notable from the event that stood out to me the most was how much they talked about accessibility and the impact that journalism can make,” said Ellie Frisch ʼ26. “Especially when it is so hard for these stories to be heard and valued, Ms. became the outlet for these stories.”
The panelists discussed Ms.’s influence, which they said often gave them a platform that was nonexistent before, sharing their collective experience of rejection. The magazine covered “radical” issues that no other major publications would dare to touch then — and still won’t publish today. The contributors explained that stories discussing domestic abuse, sexual violence, acquaintance rape, abortion and gender-based violence failed to reach the mainstream conversation until Ms. dared to do so. 50 years later, Ms. remains the “radical” outlet for a movement — all without a paywall.
The discussion ended with a reminder that the magazine is more important than ever—maintaining a platform for activism and independent journalism is key to upholding democracy and equality under the law. Ms. will continue to serve as a vehicle for progress, just as it was at its conception 50 years ago.
As Ms. consulting digital editor Carmen Rios said, “There is so much hope in this book [50 Years of Ms.], there are answers and there are pathways forward in this book.” In a moment where many feel as though the world has taken so many steps backwards in this fight for equality — with the overturning of Roe v. Wade, individuality and bodily autonomy perpetually under attack, and white supremacy and fascism posing a constant threat to freedom and democracy around the world—the panelists emphasized that Ms. magazine is a critical institution that needs to be front and center in the cultural conversation.
In the foreword to 50 Years of Ms., co-founder of Ms. Magazine, and Smith alumna, Gloria Steinem ʼ56 responded to a question asking if she was passing the torch by saying, “I’m keeping my torch, thank you very much, and I’m using it to light the torches of others. Because only if each of us has a torch will there be enough light.”
The Smith College Special Collections is home to early works of Ms. and other integral parts of the magazine’s history — all available for public viewing.
