Ms.

Ms. magazine burst onto the American scene in 1971 as the first national publication dedicated entirely to feminist thought and activism. Gloria Steinem helped launch the project alongside a team of sharp journalists including Letty Cottin Pogrebin, Mary Thom, and Patricia Carbine. What began as a single insert inside New York magazine quickly evolved into a standalone force by January 1972, thanks to backing from Clay Felker. The early days saw original publisher Elizabeth Forsling Harris sell her stake back to the company within a year before filing a lawsuit for $1.7 million over ownership disputes. The magazine targeted a broad audience with deep dives into women's rights, reproductive health, and political inequality. It ran monthly from 1972 through 1987 and reached its peak popularity during the height of the second-wave feminist movement. While commercial pressures often clashed with ideological goals during those turbulent years, the publication remained a vital voice for change. Since 2001, the Feminist Majority Foundation has owned and operated Ms., shifting the schedule to quarterly issues while maintaining its commitment to progressive journalism.[edit]