TO: Common Ills FROM: Kathy Spillar, Executive Editor SUBJ: Personal Invitation Because of your deep interest in women’s rights and equality you, more than most, will understand and appreciate the urgent nature of this message. Fifty years ago, abortion was illegal in most states. Women could not get credit in their own names. Violence against women was considered a private family matter. And sexual harassment was just part of life. That’s why in 1972 Ms. magazine was launched. And for each of those 50 years, Ms. has been on the frontlines, calling out discrimination and inequality and spotlighting strategies for moving forward in the fight for full equality. You are an important part of that history and it’s because you are special that I’m inviting you to join a small, select group we’re forming as an integral part of the Ms. Community. We call this special group the Ms. Sustaining Members. As the name indicates its purpose is to “maintain”, “nurture” and, yes, “sustain” the vital mission of Ms. going forward. Frankly, the mission of Ms. Sustaining Members is both urgent and vital. There’s no question that the biggest challenge you and I face is protecting five decades of hard-fought gains for women – safe and legal abortion, birth control, LGBTQ rights, health care rights and the Equal Rights Amendment – are now the target of the extreme right. One thing is certain. Whether we’re dealing with the overturn of Roe v. Wade by a Supreme Court stacked with Trump-appointed justices…alerting and informing voters to the stakes involved if anti-women’s equality politicians gain control of Congress… or overcoming the final barriers to enshrining the Equal Rights Amendment in the Constitution we simply must be prepared for what is nothing less than major battles for the survival and advancement of women’s rights. And that’s where the special Ms. Sustaining Members is critical. You see, members of this special group agree to make a small monthly contribution of $5, $10, $20, or even $50 a month. These small monthly gifts quickly add up and provide Ms. dependable month-after-month funds we can count on as we plan and budget for the critical months ahead. I hope you will accept this special invitation and become a Ms. Sustaining Member today. In addition to your essential help enabling Ms. to keep feminists informed, inspired, and empowered, as a Ms. Sustaining Member you will receive: - Access to every issue of Ms. magazine.
- Access to all Ms. podcasts, all daily and weekly newsletters, and Action Alerts.
- Invitations and reservations to live and virtual events.
- Special discounts on gift memberships for Ms.
Best of all, you’ll be doing your part to keep Ms. strong and fiercely independent and free of commercial advertising. Thanks in no small part to you Ms. readers will never have to worry that we will shy away from telling it like it is. I know I can count on you to help carry on the critical mission of Ms. Together we can sustain and strengthen Ms. and the feminist movement. Reporting. Rebelling. & Truth-telling for Equality,  | Kathy Spillar
Executive Editor, Ms. | | |
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