John Mack Carter

John Mack Carter
Born(1928-02-28)February 28, 1928[1]
Murray, Kentucky, USA[1]
DiedSeptember 26, 2014(2014-09-26) (aged 86)[1]
EducationUniversity of Missouri (BA, MA) 1949[1]
Occupation(s)Editor, publisher[1]
Years active1949-2014[1]
Children2
Awards • American Society of Magazine Editors (2000)[1]
 • Advertising Women of New York award[1]
 • New York Women in Communications award[1]
 • National Women's Political Caucus award[1]

John Mack Carter (February 28, 1928 – September 26, 2014) was an American magazine editor, best known for his editorship of multiple women's magazines.[1]

Carter served as editor of each of the "Big Three" women's magazines: McCall's from 1961 to 1965, Ladies' Home Journal from 1965 to 1974, and Good Housekeeping from 1975 to 1994.[1][2][3][4] Under his tenure magazines began putting photos of celebrities on the cover which became a commonplace practice.[1] As head of Hearst Magazine Enterprises he also helped create and develop other magazines, including the financial magazine SmartMoney, Marie Claire and Country Living.[1] He was inducted into the Hall of Fame of the American Society of Magazine Editors in 2000.[1]

In March 1970, more than 100 feminists led by Susan Brownmiller stormed Carter's office at the Ladies' Home Journal and held an eleven-hour sit-in, demanding that he resign.[1][5][6][7][8] He declined but, after that, strove to become more responsive to the concerns of women.[1] He published essays by some of the protesters in a later issue about divorce, childbirth, and other feminist issues.[1] Upon later reflection, he described the sit-in event as a turning point in his thinking. After that, he was more willing to publish stories about job discrimination and sexual harassment and work to advance causes related to women.[1][5]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s Leslie Kaufman (September 26, 2014). "John Mack Carter, 86, Is Dead; Led 'Big 3' Women's Magazines". The New York Times. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
  2. ^ Staff writers (September 29, 2014). "John Mack Carter Dies at 86; Hearst Editor Led Top Womens' magazines". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
  3. ^ Staff writers (June 12, 2016). "Christina Carter, Zachary Adams". The New York Times. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
  4. ^ Staff writers (December 13, 2014). "Remembering those we lost in 2014". Crain’s New York Business. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
  5. ^ a b Erin Blakemore (August 27, 2018). "When Angry Women Staged a Sit-In at the Ladies Home Journal: The protestors helped themselves to the editor's cigars and would not budge from his office". History.com. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
  6. ^ Terry McDonell (August 2, 2016). "Terry McDonell: How Women Changed the Media". Time magazine. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
  7. ^ David Dismore (March 18, 2020). "Today in Feminist History: Ladies Home Journal Employees Stage a Sit-In (March 18, 1970)". Ms. magazine. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
  8. ^ Jonna Carter (March 18, 2021). "John Mack Carter: A Magazine Legend Remembered By His Daughter Jonna On The Women's Sit-In 51st Anniversary At Ladies' Home Journal…". Mr Magazine. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help)