Arizona Women's Voice

Barbara J. Bigham started the Arizona Women’s Voice in Phoenix, Arizona, in January 1985. The newspaper, published monthly, focused on issues affecting women such as workplace inequality, reproductive rights, custody and divorce laws, pregnancy discrimination, domestic violence, child support, and more. It championed women-owned businesses and published a calendar of events with items of interest to women.

The paper was distributed to Valley libraries, colleges, businesses, women’s groups, and through subscriptions. The Arizona Women’s Voice was published towards the end of second-wave feminism, which began in the early 1960s and lasted roughly two decades, and before the emergence of third-wave feminism which began in the early 1990s.

In the March 1985 issue, publisher and editor Bigham, stated, “The Arizona Women’s Voice is YOUR paper. We do more than just welcome your input; we encourage it – we ask for it.” The next month’s issue added, “The Voice is not backed by a large, well-funded corporation or individual. It was started by a small group of women using the personal – and very limited – funds of the editor/publisher.” The newspaper, in its early days, described itself as a home-based business, “and you’ll hear no apologies or tone of embarrassment at this admission.” All staff were volunteers who held full-time positions elsewhere.

The first anniversary issue, January 1986, stated, “For thirteen months, the Arizona Women’s Voice has been bringing its readers news, features, art, poetry, photography and a comprehensive list of events. We’ve gone from a press run of 3,000 to a current circulation of 6,000 (and growing) …”

A change of ownership came in November 1986 when Sue Thompson and Sue Hustead became co-publishers/editors. A new slogan, “A Cross Cultural Newspaper For Women About Women” began appearing on the masthead.

By May 1988, Paula D. Lingo became owner-publisher of the Arizona Women’s Voice with Joanne Brickman serving as associate publisher/editor. With this change came the slogan, “A state-wide newspaper for women about women.” Another addition was a new monthly column, Equal Opportunity Update, penned by Rose Newsome, director of the Equal Opportunity Department, City of Phoenix.

After five years, the newspaper ceased publication in March of 1990.