HerStory, Feminist Literary Journal, Debuts at Rider University

The staff of HerStory recently held a premiere for the first edition of the new feminist journal created by Rider University students. The event was held in the Bart Luedeke Center Fireside Lounge on Rider’s Lawrenceville campus, 2083 Lawrenceville Road.

One of HerStory’s creators, Maria Gullo, a junior English and Psychology dual major, said she and her friends decided to create the journal so that female students had an outlet to express their thoughts. By offering a mixture of fiction, nonfiction, visual art, photography, interviews, plays, poetry and prose, the journal aims to present contemporary feminist issues, while inspiring and uniting female students.

The literary journal received more than 70 submissions. Twenty-six pieces were selected to be featured in the first edition. Topics range from open adoption for expectant young mothers to sexual abuse. Other topics include parent/daughter relationships, a history of lesbianism, and a humorous take on the effects of birth control on the female body, explained Gullo.

The premiere event also featured two female bands, readings and discussion.

The HerStory staff includes senior editor Julie E. Morcate, a sophomore English major with a minor in History; public relations writer Julie K. Abernathy, a sophomore Elementary Education and Psychology dual major; art executive director Cynthia C. Lascelles, sophomore English major; secretary Marla Savage, a sophomore Elementary Education Arts major; art managerial editor Lacey Colby, junior English major; webmaster Kathrine Hedayat, a sophomore English major; PR assistant Vicky Vera, a sophomore Chemistry major; and secretary Marla Rae Savage, Elementary Education and Fine Arts Theatre double major.