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Kimberlie Kranich is an Associate and member of the Board of Directors of the Women's Institute for Freedom of the Press. She is a media woman and an activist. Kimberlie serves as Chair of the Programming Committee at community radio station WEFT, 90.1 FM in Champaign, IL and Promotion Coordinator at public broadcasting stations WILL AM-FM-TV in Urbana, IL.
This piece has been reprinted from the 1989 Directory of Women's Media. Kimberlie was an intern with WIFP when she wrote and researched the article. This information is an important part of the history of the women's media movement.
One of the most significant aspects of the Women's Media Movement is the existence of women of color periodicals(1) by women of color in the United States. While many women's periodicals are produced by a diverse group of women who know that any communication about the breadth of women's issues is inseparable from an analysis of racist, classist, and imperialistic oppression, periodicals produced by women of color add a perspective not found anywhere else. To make more visible women of color periodicals is to make more visible the specific contributions, concerns, and insights of women of color that will transform the world into a more humane place.
Perhaps the significance of women of color periodicals is best described in the introductory issues of The Brown Papers, an issues series started in 1984 by the National Institute for Women of Color from the perspective of Black, Hispanic, Asian American, American Indian, Alaska Native, and Pacific Islander. The introduction says:
While the women and histories presented here are important to our knowledge of ourselves, what is more important is the direction offered by this paper for future activity. As you read the Brown Paper, notice that while women of color overcome barrier after barrier, their victory is not simply in the elimination of that obstacle but in the changes in society which is represented by the absence of that particular barrier.(2)
The number of periodicals by women of color in the United States and abroad has increased each year since the Women's Media Movement began in 1968. In 1975 when the first Directory of Women's Media was published, three U.S. periodicals by women of color were indexed compared to 20 U.S. periodicals by women of color in the 1988 Directory. At the very least, 80 U.S. periodicals by women of color were born during the first 20 years of the Women's Media Movement.
Women of color periodicals are both general/multi-issue and single issue, and come in a variety of forms including newspapers, magazines, newsletters, regular reports, issues series and bulletins. While some are independently run, others are affiliated with associations and organizations. An examination of 30 of the more than 80 known U.S. periodicals by women of color revealed that there is no issue that is not of concern to these women. Issues examined in those 30 periodicals include: rape, politcal prisoners, homelessness, low-income housing, sexual harassment, unemployment, technology, single parenting, peace, women of color's history, men of color as allies, abortion, genocide, sterilization abuse, health, infant mortality, domestic violence, U.N. Decade for Women, racism in the courts, in the police force and in white women, imperialism, classism, education, political office, U.S. intervention abroad, prostitution and international women. There is no possible way to read these periodicals and not have a new idea, a new insight and a new challenge to action.
Women of color periodicals, and all women's periodicals, are catalysts for change. Past achievements and gains have been possible because women have raised their issues and made their demands via their periodicals and other forms of communication. These courageous women have paved the way for the increasing efforts to collect names of women of color nominees for high level political appointments, for a National Black Women's Health Project, for women of color caucuses and for a Women of Color Day on March 1 of each year. These are important gains which contribute to our ongoing struggle to make this world a more humane place.
We must support women of color periodicals and all women's periodicals and fight the mentality that our media are secondary in importance to the mass media just because the mainstream chooses to ignore the existence of the more than 80 periodicals by women of color that are part of the more than 1,500(3) periodicals by women that were born during the first 20 years of the Women's Media Movement. In addition to the women of color periodicals listed in the 1989 Directory, the following is a list of the more than 80 U.S. periodicals by women of color from 1968-1988, their self descriptions, and their approximate dates of existence when known.(4) The historical documentation of U.S. periodicals by women of color is one way to make the contributions of women of color more visible. This paper is a short version of a scholarly paper in progress to be presented at the National Women's Studies Association Conference in Maryland in June, 1989.
1 For puposes of this paper, women of color periodicals are defined as those that are primarily run by women of color, for women of color, and about women of color. Women of color are clearly making the decisions in these periodicals and any lmited male involvement does not result in control of the direction. Hence, a periodical like Essence would not fit under this definition.
2 Moving Mountains Past, Present and Future: The Role of Women of Color in the American Political System, " The Brown Papers, National Institute for Women of Color. 1984. p.3.
3 The figure 1,500 was derived from the research of Dr. Martha Leslie Allen (Howard University 1988 dissertation, "The Development of Communication Networks Among Women, 1963-1983,") each Directory of Women's Media since 1984, and other networks.
4 Where I was unable to obtain an actual issue of a publication by an association, I've listed the date the organization was formed. It should not be assumed that the organization's founding date coincides with the founding date of its periodical.
Ache, A Black Lesbian Journal. Oakland, CA. 1983. Reviews, interviews, essays, political analyses and poetry composed by Black lesbians.
African Women Rising. Washington, DC. 1986- African women dedicated to networking with women of color worldwide. Published by the International Council of African Women.
Al Dia, Newsletter of the National Conference on Puerto Rican Women. NYC Chapter. Bronx, NY. 1976- Seeks to encourage the active and widespread participation of Puerto Rican women in the social, economic and political life of one city.
American Association of Black Women Entrepreneurs (AABWE) Legislative News. Washington, DC. 1982-
Anamika. Brooklyn, NY. 1987. To reach out to South Asian lesbians living in South Asia and other countries. Articles, poems, short stories, pictures, everything creating a South Asian "KHUSH" identity.
Asian Women. Berkeley, CA. 1971. Art, education, college students, and Asian Americans are some of the issues raised.
Asian Women United. Oakland, CA. 1986- Newsletter about issues facing Asian American women.
Asian Women's Center Newsletter. Los Angeles, CA. 1973-1974. Deals with issues of drug abuse, health, poetry, Asian Americans, centers, and college students.
Association of Black Women in Higher Education (ABWHE) Newsletter. New York, NY. 1979-
Azalea. New York, NY. Early 1980's. Literary magazine by and for Third World lesbians.
Berkeley Women of Color Newsletter. Berkeley, CA. Purpose is to address the ommission of women of color from scholastic research and to correct the focus of research on women's issues, especially feminist theory, by including the experiences of women of color.
Between Our Selves. Washington, DC. 1984-1985. A national quarterly women of color newspaper committed to publishing news by, for, and about women of color.
Black Woman's Voice. New York, NY. 1979. Quarterly publication of the National Council of Negro Women, Inc.
Black Women's Educational Policy and Research Network Newsletter. Wellesley, MA. 1981-1982. This newsletter serves as a link between policy makers and researches.
Black Women's Log. Springfield, MA. 1974. An independent monthly magazine for and by Black women.
The Brown Papers.
1984-1985. Washington, DC. An issues series from the perspective
of women who are Black, Hispanic, Asian American, American Indian,
Alaska Native, and Pacific Islander. The four issues are:
"Moving Mountains--Past,
Present & Future: The Role of Women of Color in the American
Political System," by Suzanne Brooks, Aileen
Hernandez, Marta P. Cotera and Victoria Siu.
"The Economic
Status of American Indian Women: A Navajo Study," by
Susan Williams, Jenice View, and Lourdes Miranda.
"Managing Intercultural
Value Systems: An Asian/Pacific Perspective," by Jo Sachiko
Uehara, Joanne Sanae Yamauchi, Elizabeth Higginbotham and Ruth
Zambrana.
"Overcoming
Cultural Barriers to Adequate Health Practices," by Marta
Sotomayor, Byllye Avery, and Caroline J. Chang.
Brown Sister. Wellesley, MA. 1977. A special magazine that explores the experiences and relationships of Third World women vis-a-vis white society, Third World men, and themselves.
Charisma. Cincinnatti, OH. 1982. Quarterly newsletter of Black Career Women, Inc.
Comision Femenil Mexicana Report. Los Angeles, CA. Hispanics, child care, sex education, abortion, women's centers, politics and Chicanos are some of the topics.
Committee on South Asian Women Bulletin. College Station, TX. 1986- This quarterly focuses on the women's movement in South Asia and publishes work on and by South Asian women immigrants in North America.
Common Ground-Different Planes. Washington, DC. 1988- It is our hope that this newsletter will allow us all to gain a better understanding of the complex issues and politics concerning women of color and reproductive health care.
Connections. Milwaukee, WI. 1982. Publication of the Black Women's Network founded in 1979 to create support for Black Women, to strengthen personal and business relations among Black women, to work with other organizations on issues of importance to Black women, to monitor legislation and to increase the awareness of the Black community.
CONNEXXUS. Connexxus Women's Center/ Centro de Mujeres. West Hollywood, CA 90069. Monthly newsletter.
CSAC News. Los Angeles, CA 1973-1974. Issues like counseling, education, and employment are discussed in this periodical from the Chicana Action Service Center.
Dakota Women of All Red Nations. Ft. Yates, ND. 1978. Publishes reports on health and problems of American Indian Women.
Ecos Nacionales. Washington, DC. 1978- Quarterly publication on issues affecting the Hispanic woman and information on chapter activities as well as national conventions.
El Faro. San Antonio, TX. 1983. Official publication of the National Association of Hispanic Nurses.
Ethnic Woman. New York, NY. 1977-1980. The voice (collective) of Third World Women. This is each Ethnic group's magazine within a magazine, speaking freely and honestly.
Expanding Horizons. Oakland, CA 1988- A newsletter for young Black women. The purpose of this newsletter is to provide encouragement to young Black women to take more mathematics courses and to consider careers that are math-related.
Freedom Organizing Pamphlet Series. Kitchen Table: Women of Color Press. Latham, NY.
Presents issues, strategies, and resources which focus upon the
political concerns of women of color. The following pamphlets
have been issued thus far:
No. 1 The Combahee River Collective
Statement: Black Feminist Organizing in the Seventies and Eighties.1986.
No. 2 Apartheid U.S.A.
by Audre Lorde. Our Common Enemy, Our Common Cause: Freedom
Organizing in the Eighties. by Merle Woo. 1986.
No. 3 I Am Your Sister:
Black Women Organizing Across Sexualities. by Audre Lorde.
1985.
No. 4 It's a Family Affair:
The Real Lives of Black Single Mothers. by Barbara Omolade.
1986.
No. 5 Violence Against
Women and the Ongoing Challenge to Racism. by Angela Y. Davis.
1985
HACER/Hispanic Women's Center Network Newsletter. New York, NY. 1981- Disseminates career and educational opportunities to Hispanic women. Records activities of Hispanic Women's Center and Hispanic community, NYC. Forum for exchange of ideas in the Latin community.
Hijas de Cuantemor. Long Beach, CA. 1971- Contains poetry by Chicanas.
Hook-Up News and Views. Chicago, IL. 1975- Quarterly publication of the National Hook-Up of Black Women.
In Touch. New York, NY. 1979. A monthly newsletter of Asian Women United to inform and share with other Asian women upcoming issues and concerns; monitor legislation and involvement in self determination.
Intercambios Femeniles. Stanford, CA. Communication project of the National Network of Hispanic Women. Addresses issues of concern to Hispanic women across disciplines and backgrounds.
Interface. New York, NY. 1979- Periodical of Black Women in Publishing.
La Razon Mestiza II. San Francisco, CA. 1974-1975. News magazine, historical and contemporary documentation of Spanish-speaking women, statistics, book reviews, articles, poetry, and graphics welcome.
Legacy (formerly the Bethune Museum-Archives Newsletter). Washington, DC. 1988- Information on documenting Black women's history and activities for the Mary McLeod Bethune Museum and National Archives for Black Women's History.
Letra Femeninas. College Station, TX. 1981- Spring/Fall journal of contemporary Hispanic literature by women.
Literary Xpress. Chicago, Il. 1987- Published by the Literary Exchange, a collective of wimmin of color from all walks of life, committed to the social, political, and economic empowerment of wimmin of color, utilizing the myriad aspects of literature as a vehicle.
Madre Speaks/Madre Informa. New York, NY. 1983. The newsletter of Madre, the friendship committee, organized for the purpose of stopping U.S. intervention in Nicaragua, all of Central America and the Caribbean by developing a true exchange between people there and people here.
MAKEDA celebrating Black Womynhood. Los Angeles, CA. Monthly newsletter of non profit organization whose primary focus is to bridge the gaps of communcation between all Black and Black identified womyn.
Making Success Happen Newsletter. Detroit, MI. 1976. Newsletter of the National Association of Black Women Entrepreneurs.
Malintzin: Chicana Newsletter/ Carta Informante Chicana. San Antonio, TX. 1981- Communication and support network for Chicanas and a stimulus for discussion with Chicanos on the nature of relations between men and women.
MANA Newsletter (Mexican American Women's National Association). Washington, DC. 1978- Latest information on national issues affecting Hispanic women and provides resource information to affiliates across the country.
MARVO Networker (Make African and American Relationships Valued Opportunities)/ MATA Networker. Washington, DC. 1981. Monthly newsletter on women's and African issues. Links American and African women in many fields promoting women's economic and social developments here and there.
Moccassin Line. Tacoma, WA. 1974- Published by the Northwest Indian Women's Circle. Information about Indian women, their communities and their struggle.
Morena Magazine. California. 1983.
National Association of Colored Women's Clubs National Notes. Washington, DC. 1986.
Najda: Women Concerned about the Middle East. 1983- Original and reprinted articles encompassing all aspects of the Arab world, including material not widely circulated in the United States and translations.
National Black Feminist Organization Newsletter. Chicago Chapter. 1975.
National Black Feminist Organization Newsletter. New York Chapter. 1975.
National Network of Asian and Pacific Women National News. Washington, DC. 1980-
National Black Women's Political Leadership Caucus Newsletter. Washington, DC. 1971.
National Council of Hispanic Women. Washington, DC.
Network: A National Newsletter for Black Women. Kansas City, MO. 1982. Building a supportive informational network of minority women. News, information, commentary on political and social issues, and events.
Newsletter of the Lacota Indian Women's Association. Landry, SD.
Newsletter of the Native American Women's Action Council. San Francisco, CA.
National Institute for Women of Color Network Newsletter. Washington, DC. 1984- A current focus on issues, events, projects, research and publications that are relevant to areas that affect the advancement of women of color.
Noticias De Mujeres. Albuquerque, NM.
OCAW Speaks (Organization of Chinese American Women). Arlington, VA and now Washington, DC. 1980- The formal means by which the chaptes can regularly communicate and share news with each other. The success and usefulness of the newsletter will depend, in large part, upon the contributions of the OCAW chapters around the country.
Ohoyo. Wichita Falls, TX. Bi-monthly news bulletin focusing on activities of American Indian-Alaska Native women, and public policy impacting their lives. Written by, for and about Indian women.
Onyx: A bimonthly newsletter by and about Black Women. Kansas City, MO. 1981-1985. Onyx opposes racism and sexism in all their forms. Our mission is to serve as a forum for communication for Black women in Kansas City and to promote unity within the Black community.
Onyx (BLN). Berkeley, CA. 1984. Bi-monthly newsletter by/about Black lesbians. Includes journal entries, graphics, classified ads, relevant news, etc. by Black lesbians locally and nationally.
Our Voice/Satuna. Cambridge, MA. 1984. Aims to raise the political awareness of women in the Middle East and Arab women in North America about the range of issues affecting their lives. Each issue contains news from the Middle East, a calendar of events of Women for Women in Lebanon and other groups in the Boston area.
Pan Asia News. Washington, DC 1976. Newsletter of the Organization of Pan Asia Women.
Pan Pacific and Southeast Asia Women's Association of the USA Newsletter. New York, NY.
Phoenix Rising, The Asian/Pacific Sisters Newsletter. Oakland, CA. A Bi-monthly newsletter for, by and about Asian/Pacific lesbians and bisexual women, covering issues and events of interest to our community.
Queen Omega News: A Newsletter with the Rastafari Woman's Viewpoint. CA. 1981. Our newsletter will be the forum not ony for the communication of ideas about ourselves and our way of life but our views on world events, keeping sisters in tune with current trends in the Rastafari Way of Life, the struggles and triumphs of the movement around the world as the general movement of oppressed persons.
SAGE: A Scholarly Journal on Black Women. Atlanta, GA. 1984- Journal for educators, policy-makers, researchers, and social and professional organizations.
Sapphire Speaks. Washington, DC. Monthly newsletter produced by Sapphire Sapphos, Inc. for and by Third World lesbians.
Shenabe Quai. Turtle Lake, WI. 1979. Published by the North American Indian Women's Council on Chemical Dependency.
Sisterhood of Black Single Mothers Newsletter. Brooklyn, NY. 1975-1986.
Sojouner: A Third World Women's Research News. Detroit, MI. 1977-1982. Published at Wayne State University.
Third Woman. Bloomington, IN. 1981- A journal of literature and the arts focusing on the creative work by, about, and on behalf of Hispanic women in the United States and beyond.
Third World Women's Archives Newsletter. New Haven, CT. 1982.
Triple Jeopardy. New York, NY. 1971-1975. In English and Spanish, deals with racism, imperialism, sexism, health, politics, and international relations.
Truth. Washington, DC. 1978- Published quarterly by the Association of Black Women Historians, contains scholarly essays; information on jobs, upcoming conferences, call for papers; news about its members.
UPFRONT. Washington, DC. 1983- Focuses on the struggle, triumphs, and creativity of Black women. Features articles, stories, networking, and resource information for women.
Vital Signs. Atlanta, GA. 1988- Newsletter of the National Black Women's Health Project. Produced three times a year, focuses on health issues and prospectives developed by Black women.
The Voice of the Guatemalan Woman (Ch' AbujRi Ixoc). Concordia, KS. 1982- A voice for the voiceless women and children in Guatemala who are suffering the worst repression of all Latin American countries. Publishes testimonies, explanatory articles, and news.
Wisconsin Tribal Women's News Najinokwe. Madison, WI. 1974-1976.
Women of Color News. Milwaukee, WI. 1983-1984. Deals with issues of racism, sexism, classism, and heterosexism.
Women of Nations Newsletter. St. Paul, MN. Newsletter of Women of Nations, an organization founded in July 1982, serving American Indian battered women and their children in the Minneapolis and St. Paul metropolitan areas.
© Copyright 1988 Kimberlie Kranich, Women's Institute
for Freedom of the Press
1940 Calvert Street, NW
Washington, DC 20009-1502
phone: 202-265-6707
www.wifp.org