THE LADY MAGAZINE

Early Editor Rita Shell

Current news about the sale of the building in Bedford Street, Covent Garden, home of The Lady Magazine, reminds me of the time I was invited to visit while researching into this leading journal which dates back to 1885. We, as the international Society of Women Journalists (we changed our name in 1951 adding 'women') was founded in 1894 and have always had a strong connection. 

My own connection was that when I started writing professionally in the early 1990s, The Lady published some of my own articles which led to other work before I became a published book author. So, of course, I have a a soft spot for this magazine.

The staff members of The Lady magazine were like no other. Many of them had spent a lifetime working in the building which was remarkably untidy. Unsophisticated they may have been, but I loved the friendly atmosphere of their offices. 

During my investigations at the start of one of my books The Woman Writer I knew I had to include at least a chapter devoted to The Lady, as I discovered that many of the pioneers of our own Society had also had work accepted by their first editor Nora Heald.  She was followed by Rita Shell in 1895.  It was Rita, one of our eventual Vice-Presidents who set up social projects for women, including championing many worthwhile causes such as encouraging women to stand for election to their local Board of Guardians and improving conditions for female hospital nursing staff. Her weekly salary was £7 and this mother of four boys continued as editor until 1925. An amazing woman. 

Another super lady who took over the editor's chair was the late Arline Usden and she, too, did much for this great little magazine.

So much has happened in the annals of The Lady magazine which is still owned and run by the Bowles family. By 1959 it was in the hands of Tom Bowles, grandson of the founder Thomas Gibson Bowles, where it remained until 2008, when Tom handed it over to his nephew Ben Budworth. Ben believed passionately that The Lady could still be relevant for today's woman, and he started the huge changes that have now occurred at Covent Garden.  In 2009 Rachel Johnson was hired as the magazine's ninth editor and they celebrated The Lady's 125th anniversary in Feb 2010. Things are about to change yet again, so watch this space.

In the meantime, our own organisation, the SWWJ will be celebrating its 125th birthday on Thursday May 2 at Stationers' Hall, London and we will be welcoming lots of writers, poets, entertainers and anyone with a link to our fascinating craft.  Check us out at www.swwj.co.uk and @swwj  #swwj  and book your place.