A fully searchable database of every Ms. article published since 1972, offering unparalleled access to decades of feminist journalism.
This Women’s History Month, explore the Ms. magazine archive collection. From our earliest coverage of Roe v. Wade, welfare rights and women’s political power, to contemporary reporting on labor, policy and media representation, Ms. provides primary sources well suited for women’s studies coursework.
The collection offers a unique window into the evolution of feminist thought, activism and storytelling—making it an invaluable resource for educators, students and researchers alike. Whether revisiting the early days of the women’s liberation movement or examining today’s most urgent debates, the archive brings decades of reporting into conversation with the present moment.
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Educators are already finding new ways to integrate the archive into their work.
As Stacy Keltner, philosophy professor and department chair at Kennesaw State University, shared after a recent workshop:
“Just co-facilitated a Ms. Magazine Archive workshop at the 2026 meeting of WGS South at Wake Forest in NC. Participants had great ideas for putting the archives to work and are looking forward to incorporating them into their classrooms. Excited to see this collection in the world!”
The archive’s impact extends beyond the classroom. Jayashree Logaraj, a compliance manager at Clarivate, described it as “rich insights that continue to inspire learning and awareness,” calling it “a meaningful highlight for Women’s History Month—insightful, relevant and a powerful reflection of the evolution of women’s voices over the decades.”
As Women’s History Month invites reflection on both past and present, the Ms. archive stands as a vital resource for understanding how far we’ve come—and the work still ahead.
“By studying the magazine’s coverage of historical movements and contemporary issues,” said Karon Jolna, Ms. Classroom program director, “students can gain critical insights into effective feminist strategies to fight back today.”
Highlights from the archive include:
- The Roe v. Wade Decision (1973): Just a year after its launch, Ms. helped shape national conversation around reproductive rights, offering in-depth analysis and advocacy as Roe v. Wade legalized abortion in the United States.
- The Ticket That Might Have Been … President Chisholm (1973): Ms. documented Rep. Shirley Chisholm’s historic run for the Democratic presidential nomination—the first woman and Black person to do so—alongside Texas state Sen. Sissy Farenthold.
- Welfare Is a Women’s Issue (1972): “I’m a woman. I’m a Black woman, I’m a poor woman. I’m a middle-aged woman. And I’m on welfare…” These powerful words, published in one of Ms.’ first issues, underscored the intersection of race, class, gender and public policy.
- Life on the Global Assembly Line (1981): An exposé on the exploitation of women in U.S. sweatshops, South Korean textile factories and Ciudad Juarez maquiladoras.
- Date Rape: The Story of an Epidemic and Those Who Deny It (1985): Ms. was among the first to publish national research and investigative reporting on the prevalence of sexual assault against college women.
- The Women of Black Lives Matter (2015): A spotlight on the women leading the #BlackLivesMatter movement, whose intersectional approach distinguishes it from earlier civil rights struggles.
- The #MeToo Movement: In recent years, Ms. has played a pivotal role in documenting the rise of the #MeToo movement and its impact across industries and communities.
- Antiabortion Terrorism (Spring 2025): The current issue investigates how antiabortion extremists successfully blocked the opening of an all-trimester abortion clinic in Beverly Hills—highlighting the ongoing threats to reproductive care, even in so-called “abortion sanctuary” states like California.
To stay updated on new teaching tools, workshops and events marking the launch of the archive, sign up here.
For questions or further information, contact Karon Jolna, Ph.D., at kjolna@msmagazine.com.
