Los Angeles — Forty years after Ms. thrilled feminists with its inaugural cover declaring "Wonder Woman for President," the magazine once again features the iconic superhero. For its anniversary issue, the Ms. cover shows Wonder Woman on the streets of Washington, DC with women marching to stop the attacks on their rights and carrying signs bearing the slogan: "Vote as if your life depends on it."
Side-by-side images of the two covers can be seen here:
http://msmagazine.com/images/WonderWomanCovers.jpg
As the Fall isue of Ms. magazine hits newsstands today, with Wonder Woman on the cover, we're thrilled to hear from a real-life Wonder Woman—actor Lynda Carter, who memorably played the role of the superhero on TV from 1975-1979. Here's what she has to say:
When I started out playing Wonder Woman on TV, practically everyone behind the camera was a man—and men were the acting leads in almost all series programming, too. Today, women have broken through: as studio and network executives, producers, directors, writers, stage managers, sound engineers and camera operators—to say nothing of the large number of shows with female leads. That fundamental social and economic shift is due in no small part to those at Ms. magazine, and the many elsewhere (including men) who fought tirelessly for equal opportunities for all. Seeing Wonder Woman raise hell on the cover of Ms. is as fitting now as it was 40 years ago: We may have come a long way, baby, but our fight for equality in the workplace is far from over.
Wonder Woman has symbolized empowered women breaking through barriers. I am proud to have played a role that may have helped in a small way inspire others on this exciting path to equality.
"Wonder Woman has been an enduring symbol of women's power," said Katherine Spillar, executive editor of Ms. "We could imagine no better way to urge women to use their own power — the power of their vote — to stand up for themselves and their rights in the coming elections."
The special fall issue examines what's at stake for women in November, including access to safe abortion and birth control, economic security and workplace equity, Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security and protections against violence. The issue also provides a detailed rundown on many state ballot measures that affect women's lives and looks at the record numbers of women running for Congress.
In an essay in the new issue, Ms. founding editor and feminist icon, Gloria Steinem reminds readers that the backlash to women's progress these days is a reaction to the "front-lash" — the success feminists have had in changing laws and attitudes over the last 40 years. "The very force of the opposition — especially to our control of reproduction — should tell us how powerful we are," Steinem explains.
The Fall issue also features a timeline of major events in the women's movement and the magazine's history over the last 40 years, punctuated by readers' letters about the role Ms. has played in their own lives. And another Ms. founding editor, Letty Pogrebin, reminisces about how she helped Marlo Thomas launch Free to Be … You and Me, the groundbreaking feminist children's media venture.
"For 40 years, Ms. has been making history, pushing forward and inspiring a movement that has forever changed the world," said Spillar. "We won't stop until women and girls everywhere secure equality."
