 Marcia Ann Gillespie is a trailblazer in the
magazine industry, a leader in the women's movement, a champion of
gender and racial justice. She has been a driving force behind two
of this nation's most important women's magazines as the editor in
chief of Essence from 1971-1980 and most recently as the
editor in chief of Ms from 1993-2001. Named the Editor in
Chief of Essence at the age of 26. Marcia Gillespie
quickly proved her mettle by rapidly transforming the then fledging
publication into one of the fastest growing women's magazines in the
United States. During her tenure (1971-1980), Essence became
a trusted source of inspiration, information, and affirmation for
millions of African American women and won a National Magazine
Award, the industry's most prestigious honor. A vice-president
of Essence Communication, Inc., and a member of the board of
directors, Gillespie was named "One of the Fifty Faces for
American's Future by Time magazine.
Marcia Gillespie's association with
Ms. magazine dates back to 1980 when she became a
contributing editor, She then went on to become a featured
columnist and the executive editor of Ms. before being named
top editor in 1993. At Ms. her mission was "moving
the discussion of feminism forward" and making the magazine a
"welcome table" for a range of voices and views.
Under her leadership the magazine reached an ever diverse
readership, attracting increasing numbers of younger women to the
fold. In addition to her role as editor in chief, Gillespie
was named the President of Liberty Media for Women, a limited liability
corporation comprised of women investors that purchased the magazine
in November 1998 and successfully launched the publication in March
1999. To further secure the publication's future, Gillespie
negotiated the magazine's transfer to the Feminist Majority Foundation
in December 2000 and officially turned over the reins over in February
2001.
Gillespie's extensive knowledge about
the national and international women's movements, issues of racial
and gender justice, the media, and business, and her keen interest
in history and observations about current events and the changes and
challenges confronting the American society, and her deep faith in
our ability to rise informs her life and her work.
A rousing, eloquent, and in-demand
speaker, who brings both wit and wisdom to her talks, Gillespie
regularly appears on university and college campuses and as a
keynoter at conferences and events in the United States and
abroad. In addition to her numerous public appearances, she
maintains a thriving consultancy advising corporate and other
clients on issues ranging from diversity to communications.
An award winning writer, Gillespie
has also received a number of awards from professional and civic
organization including the Matrix Award from New York Women in
Communication, the Mary MacLeod Bethune award from the National Council
of Negro Women. Awarded a Doctor of Letters by her alma mater,
Lake Forest College, she is also a recipient of the Missouri Honor
Medal for Distinguished Service in Journalism, from the University
of Missouri School of Journalism.
Gillespie also serves as a member of
the board of directors of the Planned Parenthood Federation of
America, the Arthur Ashe Institute for Urban Health, the Violence
Policy Center, and the Global Fund for Women.
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