As you might have heard, I’m the editor of a new-to-Memphis women’s magazine called Skirt!, and our very first local issue went to the printer Friday. As I saw all of our pages up on the wall of our office, I suddenly got all emotional.
First, the magazine is great-looking, smart and interesting, thanks to years of labor and love by a whole bunch of terrific women in Charleston, SC, where Skirt! is headquartered, as well as the contributions of the five of us here in Memphis. You see, Skirt! is a 13-year-old magazine, and the editors in each market where it’s published (there are 12 now), adapt the template each month for their readers, add local profiles, events and trends, and voila — a magazine that’s different from anything else I’ve ever seen.
But the real payoff for me — and the thing that made me misty – is how much fun it is to work with smart, engaged, competent (and FUNNY) women all day long. There’s just something special about the way women relate to each other and the world, and I think you’ll see it in the magazine, which will be in boxes and racks all over town by October 1.
What did we do to celebrate our first issue? Took ourselves out for pedicures, of course! Here’s the evidence — clockwise from the top, Sabrina, Aubrey, me, Erin and Jennifer. I can’t think of a better staff portrait, though you’ll see a lot more of us — including our faces — in the weeks ahead.
What about you — do you agree that working with women is different? What works, or doesn’t, about the experiences you’ve had in women-centric offices?
Responses to “Ta-da! We made a magazine!”
September 24th, 2007 at 11:02 am
Dear Diva — You are mistaken; there are African-American feet in this picture. And when you see the magazine, you’ll see that women of color are more than half of the local faces we feature. Skirt! IS for all women, and I agree that Memphis has enough one-sidedness. Please help me, though, by suggesting interesting women of color for me to profile, events I might not hear about, etc. Thanks for taking the time to write …
September 24th, 2007 at 2:59 pm
Dear Diva,
I agree with you, working with women is one of the most rewarding experiences that we women can share with each other. I am fortunate to wake up each day knowing that I will not only be working with women, but working to make a difference in the lives of women and their families.
I am equally rewarded with continuous learning, energy, motivation, determination and commitment generated by the collective efforts of some of the smartest and amazingly dedicated women in Memphis. We are also often together sharing a misty moment as we hear or see that our work through the Women’s Foundation has helped to change the economic status of a woman and her family.
I salute I-Diva and your new “Skirt” publication that will help to share the work, wonder, love and dreams of all women in our community.
September 25th, 2007 at 1:02 pm
Thanks for clearing that up for me. I am sooo glad that Memphis has a publication that is going to focus on ALL women, black, white, Hispanic, etc. We as women have so much insight into today’s society and how it SHOULD be since we are nurturers of the Earth. Feel free to contact me as I do have a lot of suggestions on women who should be featured that are doing fantastic things in our community for the enrichment of everyone.
September 25th, 2007 at 2:55 pm
First, let me say that I love men. Some of my best friends are men. In fact, the person who cared for us growing up was a man (OK, that’s a bad joke).
But having worked for the supreme Diva and many other wonderful women in my career, there is just something special about when women come together to collaborate. There’s hardly any phallus slapping, little competition and loads of cooperation. We think in terms of maintaining and growing relationships, not one-upping the person in the next cubicle.
And the person who suggested that I move from reporting to newspaper management was a woman. She saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself, and pushed me to become an editor. Margaret Sizemore, I’ll never forget you!
January 2nd, 2008 at 4:57 pm
Hello!
I saw this publication on a recent visit to Knoxville. Fabulous publication!!! How did you get started???
September 24th, 2007 at 9:44 am
Am I mistaken…or do I not see any african american feet in this picture? Please correct me if I’m wrong. Who is Skirt’a audience? I thought it was for ALL women. Is all women represented by the staff of this magazine or is it just another one-sided publication? Memphis has enough of one sided publications already.