LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 40th Anniversary of MS. maga-
zine

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize insti-
tutions that have achieved excellence and contributed to the betterment
and improved wellbeing of New York State and its citizens; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the 40th Anniversary of MS. magazine; and
WHEREAS, MS. is an American magazine co-founded by feminist and activ-
ist, Gloria Steinem, and founding editor, Letty Cottin Pogrebin, togeth-
er with founding editors Patricia Carbine, Joanne Edgar, Nina Finkel-
stein, and Mary Peacock; and
WHEREAS, MS. magazine first appeared in 1971 as an insert in NEW YORK
MAGAZINE; the first stand-alone issue appeared in January of 1972; and
WHEREAS, Its 300,000 "one-shot" test copies sold out nationwide in
eight days and generated an astonishing 26,000 subscription orders and
over 20,000 reader letters within weeks; and
WHEREAS, MS. was the first periodical that focused on issues specific
to feminism and the politics of women's identity; and
WHEREAS, MS. has for 40 years, fought to ensure that women of all
creeds, nationalities, religions and races are understood to be the
equals of men; and
WHEREAS, MS. was the first U.S. magazine to feature prominent American
women demanding the repeal of laws that criminalize abortion; and
WHEREAS, It was the first magazine to explain and advocate for the
Equal Rights Amendment, to rate presidential candidates on women's
issues, to feature feminist protest of controversial issues, and to blow
the whistle on the undue influence of advertising on magazine journal-
ism; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, MS. magazine has been at the forefront of issues
pertaining to women, and has highlighted the plight of women through the
years; and
WHEREAS, A 1976 cover story on battered women made MS. magazine the
first national magazine to address the issue of domestic violence; and
WHEREAS, This magazine helped to legitimize the term Ms., that gives
women a prefix that does not signify or define marital status, compara-
ble to Mr.; and
WHEREAS, The popularity of MS. magazine influenced the U.S. Government
Printing Office to approve using Ms. in official government documents in
1972; and
WHEREAS, MS. redefined the very notion of women's rights and trans-
formed the feminist movement in profound cultural, economic and poli-
tical ways, giving women opportunities they never had before; and
WHEREAS, Commemorating the social progress MS. magazine oversaw is as
vitally important now as it has ever been, as today's culture is poised
to renew old biases and backward values; and
WHEREAS, The observance of the 40th Anniversary of MS. magazine will
remind all New Yorkers of the vital importance of remaining vigilant
against inequality in all forms; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 40th Anniversary of MS. magazine, and to recognize its
many achievements throughout the past four decades; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to MS. magazine.