Claudia Bushman was 40 years old, a mother of six and working on an advanced history degree when she, essentially, was volunteered to become the first editor-in-chief of Exponent II, an independent feminist magazine for Latter-day Saint women. That was 1974.
Rachel Rueckert, a 30-something novelist, career woman and the magazine’s current top editor, wasn’t even born then. Despite the age difference, the two share an important passion: giving voice to women in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
As Exponent II celebrates its 50th anniversary, Bushman, who was told at the outset by the powers that be to “be very careful” with content, and Rueckert discuss the magazine, the personal stories it has shared, how it has changed over the decades, what it has accomplished, and why they believe it remains relevant — and crucial — today and will stay that way well the future.
“[Church leaders] never said don’t do this. They said be very careful what you do and I think we were careful. I think we probably stepped on a few toes but not too much. I mean, we really were very careful. But, as I say, I was writing for myself. I was not trying to reform anybody. I was writing about opportunities and advantages and things for women instead of demanding other things, which I think is the only way we should approach these things.”
Claudia Bushman, first editor-in-chief of Exponent II
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