Cosmo magazine and the liberation of women
Mikayla Dreer
Sarah Page
Comp. 1
April 7, 2014
Cosmo Magazine and the Liberation of Women. Cosmo magazine as we know it today was started in the 1960’s during a time of revolution for women. Before the 1960’s it was not common for a woman to have a career, be open about their sex life and their main objective was to be a wife and please a man. The late Editor-in-Chief wanted to change that and made Cosmopolitan the young, single girls “best friend.” She wanted to be able to discuss things that weren’t allowed in common conversation and would cause controversy and change. “The legendary editor of Cosmo from 1965 to 1997, Helen Gurley Brown paved the way for fun, fearless females everywhere.” (White) Cosmo magazine has been a key media resource in the improvement of career equality for women, the relationship and sexual revolution, as well as maintaining a beautiful, healthy image. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 which eventually led to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission was passed a year before Helen became the Editor in Chief. During the 1960’s and 70’s it was very common for women to not be in the work place at all or they held very low importance jobs. (Teaching with Documents) Helen wanted to be a forefront leader in the liberation of women and the new equal employment opportunities for women. She was a woman who loved working and having a career. She once said, “A job can be your love, your happy pill, and your means to finding out who you are and what you can do.” (White) Cosmo to this day pushes women to go out and work hard for the career and lifestyle they want to achieve. “It (Cosmo) outlined an American dream for single, working women. It provided them with a vision and detailed advice on how to live a better life — on their own terms."(The Impact of Cosmo) Many Cosmo readers are young adults in college or just starting in their career fields. Cosmo inspires women to ask for internships, equal pay to men, and pay raises. “I think in
Sarah Page
Comp. 1
April 7, 2014
Cosmo Magazine and the Liberation of Women. Cosmo magazine as we know it today was started in the 1960’s during a time of revolution for women. Before the 1960’s it was not common for a woman to have a career, be open about their sex life and their main objective was to be a wife and please a man. The late Editor-in-Chief wanted to change that and made Cosmopolitan the young, single girls “best friend.” She wanted to be able to discuss things that weren’t allowed in common conversation and would cause controversy and change. “The legendary editor of Cosmo from 1965 to 1997, Helen Gurley Brown paved the way for fun, fearless females everywhere.” (White) Cosmo magazine has been a key media resource in the improvement of career equality for women, the relationship and sexual revolution, as well as maintaining a beautiful, healthy image. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 which eventually led to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission was passed a year before Helen became the Editor in Chief. During the 1960’s and 70’s it was very common for women to not be in the work place at all or they held very low importance jobs. (Teaching with Documents) Helen wanted to be a forefront leader in the liberation of women and the new equal employment opportunities for women. She was a woman who loved working and having a career. She once said, “A job can be your love, your happy pill, and your means to finding out who you are and what you can do.” (White) Cosmo to this day pushes women to go out and work hard for the career and lifestyle they want to achieve. “It (Cosmo) outlined an American dream for single, working women. It provided them with a vision and detailed advice on how to live a better life — on their own terms."(The Impact of Cosmo) Many Cosmo readers are young adults in college or just starting in their career fields. Cosmo inspires women to ask for internships, equal pay to men, and pay raises. “I think in