On Dec. 31, 2001, the Feminist Majority Foundation, run by president Eleanor Smeal, assumed ownership of Ms. through Liberty Media for Women, LLC. A consortium of feminists -- including Marcia Gillespie and Gloria Steinem, as well as businesswomen, students, philanthropist, and activists -- had been publishing Ms. under Liberty Media since 1998. Gillespie and Ms. co-founder Gloria Steinem were thrilled with the partnership.
"This is the perfect marriage of information and action," said Gillespie. "I cannot imagine a better gift for Ms. readers than a future strengthened by synergy with the Feminist Majority Foundation and the leadership of Ellie Smeal."
Ms. operations are now located in the offices of the Feminist Majority Foundation in Los Angeles and Arlington, Va., but the change of venue has not changed the scope and depth of information that Ms. has always delivered. Ms. continues to be an award-winning magazine recognized nationally and internationally as the media expert on issues relating to women's status, women's rights, and women's points of view.
BREAKING NEWS: Supreme Court Upholds Federal Abortion Procedure Ban Without Health Exception
The Supreme Court ruled 5-4 to uphold the federal Partial Birth Abortion Act, a ban on an abortion procedure that the Republican controlled Congress passed in 2003. This ban has no exception for the health of a pregnant woman.
Feminist Majority Foundation President Eleanor Smeal issued a statement this morning, saying, "This ruling shows the true colors of the current Bush-stacked majority of the Supreme Court: it does not care about the health, well-being, and safety of American women. This must serve as a wake-up call to women: we are losing our fundamental rights as Bush continues to stack the courts. Elections matter: this is the consequence of a Republican, ideologically driven president and Congress."
While Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote the majority decision on behalf of Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas, and Antonin Scalia, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg wrote a dissenting opinion, calling today's decision "alarming."