239 issues of trailblazing feminism

May 28, 2015 1:23 PM

The British Library has put every issue of Spare Rib in their digital journal archive, with full access, for free.

Few titles sum up an era and a movement like Spare Rib. When the first issue came out in July 1972, many women were starting to question their position and role in society. The magazine was an active part of the emerging women's liberation movement. It challenged the stereotyping and exploitation of women in what was the first national magazine of its kind. It supported collective, realistic solutions to the hurdles women faced and reached out to women from all backgrounds. Spare Rib became the debating chamber of feminism in the UK. It continued until January 1993 and the full archive of 239 magazines provides a valuable insight into women's lives and this period of feminist activity.

posted by Shepherd (4 comments total)

The UK had "Spare Rib" while the US had "Ms." which began publication just a few months earlier, providing more evidence that British SJW's have a much better sense of humor than American (and John Cleese - or an uncanny lookalike - was on the cover of Spare Rib's sixth issue as a sexually-harassing boss!). Ms. is still publishing but has only been linked here in 22 posts and 48 comments, just 4 of them as the first/main link including one about the magazine itself.

Which compelled this aging white male to look for other specifically FEMINIST magazines.

"Bitch" magazine, subtitled "Feminist Response to Pop Culture", founded in 1996 and currently doing a fundraising/subscription drive that is short of its goal, has been linked here more often than "Ms.".

"Bust", another pop-culture-centered mag, "BUSTing stereotypes about women since 1993" (their slogan, not mine) has gotten a few links here.

"Herizons", a Canadian feminist magazine with a cool name and a minimum of 'Canadian politeness' has been publishing since 1979.

The more serious and academic "Feminist Review" has put out 3 issues a year since 1979.

And "Off Our Backs" magazine started publication in 1970, preceding the others but ceasing in 2008 without a "mission accomplished" statement, leaving behind an empty website with bad Java (not recommending clicking that).

Feminist Majority Foundation has a longer list.
posted by oneswellfoop at 3:44 PM on May 28, 2015 [4 favorites]

Thank you for the link. Remember this one very fondly.
posted by Alexandra Kitty at 5:41 PM on May 28, 2015 [1 favorite]

Excellent post - thank you so much!
posted by joseph conrad is fully awesome at 7:33 PM on May 28, 2015 [1 favorite]

I am so excited to see this here! I can't wait to spend the time these archives deserve.

I am current subscriber to Bitch and I love that magazine. I hope they make their fundraising goal, they offer so much. Looking forward to learning more about Herizons as well. Thanks so much for the post!
posted by Hopeful and Cynical at 7:52 PM on May 28, 2015