The feminist magazine “Branching Out” is a unique phenomenon in the history of Canadian journalism. It was published in Edmonton in the 1970s and was the voice of the feminist movements of that time. In this article on edmontonka, we will discuss how the magazine influenced the country’s media and cultural landscape.
History of its Creation
“Branching Out” was founded in 1973 by Canadian poet and literary editor Susan McMaster. The goal of creating the magazine was to provide a platform for women’s intellectual and artistic creativity. The magazine was part of the larger “Women in Print” movement, which promoted the intellectual liberation of women.
The publication received significant support from the Alberta Law Foundation. It was also funded through advertisements from the Alberta Women’s Bureau. At its peak, the magazine had 2,500 subscribers, which was a major achievement for the alternative press of that era. Additionally, this magazine was part of a larger project called the “Alberta Women’s Memory Project.”
The story began when Susan McMaster published an ad to recruit an all-female editorial team for a new magazine. A women’s collective was quickly formed, and they produced the first issue of “Branching Out.” The women in the editorial office worked according to their talents and interests.
From 1973 to 1980, 31 issues were published. The magazine was funded by reader donations, and this support was often insufficient to pay the journalists for their work.
How the Magazine Developed
In 1975, Susan McMaster left the magazine. Sharon Batt took over leadership and arranged partial funding for the magazine from the Alberta Law Foundation. The Foundation used the magazine’s columns to educate readers on legal issues.
However, this did not solve the financial problems of “Branching Out.” In 1977, the magazine attempted to reorganize its operations, but the difficulties were too severe. The last issue was published in 1980, after which the magazine closed.
During its years of operation, the magazine managed to publish articles by iconic Canadian feminists, including Margaret Atwood, Dorothy Livesay, and Margaret Laurence.
Features of the Magazine
The magazine stood out from others with its aesthetics and content orientation. The emphasis was on the cultural and creative activities of women. It acted as a mediator between radical feminist publications and popular magazines. This allowed it to attract a larger audience. The magazine sought to move away from the philosophy of radical feminism to create a culture that rethinks life from a female perspective.
The magazine also published various interviews with athletes and artists. It featured interesting film reviews and art criticism from experts. The authors of the texts were exclusively women. Women wrote for women at a time when most of the intellectual press was for men.
Why the Magazine Was Created
In the 1960s, feminist ideas began to integrate into mass culture. Women became more aware of issues such as professional inequality, limited access to abortion, and unequal pay. This is when feminist magazines began to appear. Usually, these were magazines of specific organizations that used the publications to spread their ideals and attract a larger audience.
Some magazines were published independently. Work on the magazines was voluntary, and the publications relied on contributions from activists. This editorial “boom” is called the Women in Print Movement.
The magazine left a noticeable mark on the history of feminist journalism in the country. Despite its short existence, “Branching Out” became an important platform for women who could declare themselves or who were looking for inspiration. It was a symbol of solidarity, self-expression, and a female perspective on the world.