Broomstick
Name/Title
BroomstickEntry/Object ID
2024.4.6Secondary Title
By, For, and About Women Over FortyDescription
"Broomstick" was a feminist publication focused on women and aging and spirituality, especially witchcraft. It included illustrations, poetry and prose, articles, ads, events, services and resources. This issue includes an article by Barbara Macdonald (author of Look Me in the Eye) about ageism in the women's movement (pp. 6-9) HOLDINGS: Vol. 8 #2, March/April 1986.Context
"Broomstick: By, For, and About Women Over Forty" was a bi-monthly self-published radical feminist periodical established in 1978 which focused on creating a supportive network for older women by addressing issues of ageism, ableism, challenging gender norms and exploring feminist topics like Lesbian culture, women's spirituality and women's health and promoting Lesbian activism and art. "Broomstick" had its genesis in a Crone's Conference at which eight women over forty organized a loose, peer-led coalition to support, fund and collectively address the concerns of older women. Two of these women, Maxine Spencer and Polly Taylor, approached "OPTIONS for Women Over Forty," a new feminist organization in Berkeley, for support in creating a new feminist journal. OPTIONS gave initial support though "Broomstick" grew into an independently funded and published magazine. However, it struggled financially and ultimately ceased publication in 1993.Category
Periodical