A Fond, Sad Farewell

Eight years after stepping in as editor of Vermont Woman, the time has come for me to move on – a difficult decision that brings me much, much sadness.

Being a part of this profoundly important endeavor has been an extraordinary experience for me professionally, and even more so, personally – for, Vermont Woman is a most unique and special publication. And how could it not be, given its subject matter? This state has no shortage of extraordinary individuals doing remarkable things, and it has been a joy, honor, and privilege to serve this community, my home state – the Freedom & Unity state.

With the mix of articles we’ve presented in each issue, it has been my objective to inform, engage, and inspire readers through the compelling stories of what other women are doing around the state; to draw attention to the serious issues facing all Vermonters and help convey ideas for potential solutions.

Back in 2003 when we were setting about the relaunch of Vermont Woman, some people questioned the necessity of a publication with a gender-specific focus. Wasn’t feminism passé, even? I maintained at the time that yes, it was not only relevant but crucial. For one, we’d already been seeing the increasing corporatization of media, so that across the country, locally-owned, independent newspapers were becoming extinct. And secondly, there never really was a plethora of publications targeted to women – beyond the mind-numbing diet and fashion mags. Vermont Woman has always been a rather unique gem. Unabashedly feminist, we were not going to insult our readers’ intelligence.

But given the current situation around the country and what is no less than an all-out assault on women’s rights, I look back and think what halcyon days those were – and I want to stress that this newspaper is more important and necessary than ever in light of this. As I step aside, I call upon all of you to step up. Support this publication – yes, it’s available free at the newsstand – but subscribe instead. If you are in a position to influence ad buys, then speak up. If you see an ad in Vermont Woman tell the advertiser where you saw it. Or, you can perhaps contribute in other ways (we are operating with eight-year old computers and software, our website needs a major upgrade…) – who knows how you might be able to help?

It has been an honor to be part of the dedicated staff of this award-winning publication. I never imagined what lay ahead for me back in 1988 when I applied for the publisher’s assistant job with Vermont Woman. Sue Gillis didn’t quite get my wacky young punk look, but she took a chance on me nonetheless. As she relates in her Publisher’s Message above, it was the beginning of what has been a long-enduring partnership. I will be forever in awe of her commitment, at great personal sacrifice, to creating a publication to give Vermont’s women a strong, uncompromised voice. We all should be extremely grateful for what she has provided this state. I certainly am.

I want to acknowledge the superlative work of creative director Jan Doerler, with whom I’ve worked intensely over the last eight years. She and I have spent many a night into the wee hours during production time! It is Jan who has made the pages of Vermont Woman look so beautiful and has been pivotal to our earning frequent awards of “General Excellence” from the press associations.

Thank you to Rickey Gard Diamond, the founding editor of Vermont Woman in 1985, who has been an invaluable role model and mentor to me over the past eight years – and with whom I look forward to continuing to work.

Deep appreciation and gratitude goes to Assistant Editor Mary Fratini – my fellow native southern Vermonter on whom I could always rely, and whose energy and sharp political mind has contributed so much to our coverage of statewide news analysis.

Associate Editor Amy Lilly’s thoughtful, thorough copy editing has been invaluable in refining the articles and columns on our pages through the years – and her own elegant writing is simply a joy to read.

Our astute legal columnist Cindy Hill has also written some of our most provocative and in-depth news features – thank you also, Cindy, for your enthusiastic energy and ideas.

Mary, Amy, and Cindy have been on the editorial team throughout my entire tenure. In addition, I want to express my appreciation for the great contributions from the rest of our columnists and feature writers over the years: Deb Boyer, Carrie Chandler, Mary Claire Carroll, Gale Golden, Gretchen Gross, Lyn Taylor Hale, Cheryl Herrick, Trina Hikel, Laura Kiesel, Linda Maness, Amy Mattinat, Christine Moriarty, Roberta Nubile, Betsy Parks, Alyssa Vine, and K.C. Whiteley.

I am so very proud to have been a part of this award-winning team, and will maintain ties with Vermont Woman as a contributing editor and writer of arts and features.

So for now, I am signing off as editor. My very best wishes to my successor and to the continued long life of Vermont Woman, a precious Vermont treasure.