Mother’s Magazine

Mother's Magazine was an American periodical founded in January 1833 by Abigail Goodrich Whittelsey. Its primary mission was to educate mothers on their responsibilities and potential. The magazine was successful, reaching a circulation of 10,000 by 1837. Whittelsey continued to edit it until 1849, later launching another publication, Mrs. Whittelsey's Magazine for Mothers, in 1850.1

Mother's Magazine was part of a broader trend of women's magazines in the 19th century. While some publications focused on fashion and entertainment, others, like Mother's Magazine, aimed to provide practical advice and moral instruction, reflecting evolving societal views on women's roles. In contrast to earlier women's magazines, Ms., launched in 1972, focused on feminist issues and aimed to bring women's rights into the mainstream.23