About

Our Mission

From the earliest times women have used art as a means of celebrating life, ritual, and their feminine role in society. Unfortunately, it has not always been easy for women to define themselves as “artist.” Confined to a domestic role, restricted and controlled in the public arena, and denied basic human rights, the history of our gender is one of constant oppression.

Before the 19th century feminist movement, women’s boundaries were determined by their place of birth: status, gender, family, and government dictated how they would live out their days. A woman’s desire to identify herself as an artist was looked upon as an anomaly, and therefore not a choice openly discussed or pursued. Feminist movements of the 20th century resulted in advances for women in many, though not all, Western societies: The right to vote, to demand equal pay, and to exercise control over childbearing were all battles fought and won in the past 100 years. Yet, in developing nations the battle wages on for women’s free and uncensored expression. In these regions, art is a means of exploring women’s courage and accomplishments, thus directing their lives in extraordinary ways and directions.

Artists and writers featured in Her Circle use their work as a means of addressing identity, gender, ethnicity, politics, and statutes that surround and shape women’s lives, challenging us to reevaluate and re-imagine the world in which we live.

The Staff

Her Circle Ezine exists in an entirely virtual environment, working with an all-volunteer staff from around the globe. Without their generosity and passion, this publication would not exist.

Misty K. Ericson, Publisher & Editor
Diane Saarinen, Blog Producer
Danna Williams, Copyeditor

Blogs

Karen Harrington, The Writer’s Life
Nicolette Westfall, inContext: The Politics of Feminist Literature
Lynn Alexander
Carolyn Boyd
Lee Conell
Shana Thornton-Morris
Mary Ann Zammit

Book Reviews and Features

Kimberly L. Becker
Rachel Dacus
Julie R. Enszer
Mary Senior Hardwood
Suzanne Kamata
Georgia Ann Banks Martin
LouAnn Shepard Muhm
Cheryl A. Townsend
Shannon K. Winston

Magnolia Journal

Kay Sexton, Fiction Editor
Zinta Aistars, Poetry Editor
Kimberly Bluth, Editorial Assistant