Once upon a time, a twenty-something woman attended — at her best friend’s invitation— an Exponent II retreat. The twenty-something felt magic the moment she stepped onto the carpet of pine needles and inhaled the fresh air and even fresher conversations. Home. A powerful, reverberating word for a person who’d struggled all her life to know such a wild thing. The twenty-something spotted a sign-up sheet for magazine volunteers. She inked her name. Then, taking a steadying breath, she defied her shy nature to introduce herself to the current editor-in-chief of Exponent II. Because though she was young, and not-at-all-wise or qualified in the ways she saw in the incredible people around her, she needed more of that magic. She felt hungry for friendship and matriarchs and eager to learn from this newfound community. She didn’t conceive it within the realm of possibility that she herself would ever serve as the editor someday, standing on the shoulders of these giants.
This is my story, but maybe — in certain aspects — it is also your story. However personally impactful, especially knowing that I serve as editor alongside that same best friend, Carol Ann, I know my journey and the details are not unique. We come from all corners of the world and stages of life and find each other in person or online or through written words. Together, we listen and build and iterate, sharing voices in “an atmosphere of trust and acceptance.” Whoever you are, and whenever you read this in the fabric of time, life brought you to this space. I’m so glad for it. We’re delighted to share this special issue.
An organization like Exponent II doesn’t last 50 years by happenstance, a point made clear in these selections and in our history. We should not take this milestone for granted. This issue celebrates many poignant moments while also acknowledging challenges. In these pages, we feature words from the Founding Mothers, board members, long-time readers and retreaters, and newer community members. We include art that echoes back through the decades and new pieces that invite us forward. The poems, blog feature, history of Exponent II artwork, and announcement about digital access to the entire Exponent II collection, underscore countless hours of work and heart to honor this organization’s past while ushering in a vibrant future, a feeling captured in Page Turner’s hand-sculpted cover art.
I affectionately call this anniversary issue “the reunion.” If it feels a bit like a yearbook, that’s intentional. Any attempt at summarizing the contents would be reductive. The pieces are not strictly chronological, though they do follow the arc of generations and circle through timeless themes of mortality, legacy, grief, community, belonging, struggle, personal growth, friendships, love, trust, and sacred work. We solicited as many voices as possible, past and present. As has often been the case for Exponent II, this issue champions personal essays.
This issue, like every issue over the past fifty years, represents countless hands engaged in a shared alchemy…
But this issue is not the last word on the anniversary. This fall, Signature Books will publish Fifty Years of Exponent II — a landmark book by Katie Ludlow Rich and Heather Sundahl (both of whom have essays in this issue). Having the privilege of editing this rigorous history, with early access to the manuscript, I can only say that this book is a priceless treasure and essential reading. I can’t wait for this triumph of a history to be in the world, sitting side by side with this special issue of the magazine.
That I’m humbly writing the Letter from the Editor for this important issue, and not anyone else, feels less like fate and more like a happy coincidence. Many of us who have been involved in this organization might relate. But Exponent II has shown me that this work has never been about one person. This issue, like every issue over the past fifty years, represents countless hands engaged in a shared alchemy, from “paste-up” parties to computers to elaborate spreadsheets to InDesign files. The “paper” as it was first called — this magazine — is built on the foundation of friendship.
Consider this anniversary issue a prologue as we come together, snatching a rare moment of rest under the shade of our own vine and fig tree while we enjoy the fruits of our labors. We invite you to ponder, as we have asked each contributor of this issue: What has Exponent II meant to you? Also, how might you continue the tradition of being a part of and building this feminist community? There are many, so many, more people in the literal and figurative forest who seek a home like this one.
Rachel is an author, editor, and teacher. She is the ninth editor in chief of Exponent II. rachelrueckert.com
Cambridge, Massachusetts
A note about our style guide: Our team decided, as is industry standard, to only italicize Exponent II when it is named, in full, specifically in relation to the print publication. (Example: I found Exponent II in 2015 through the Exponent blog, but I was not published in Exponent II for several years). We also decided to capitalize Founding Mother, Exponent Day Dinner, and other moments specific to our history.
