Mission
Exponent II provides feminist forums for women and gender minorities across the Mormon spectrum to share their diverse life experiences in an atmosphere of trust and acceptance. Through these exchanges, we strive to create a community to better understand and support each other.
Exponent II has no official connection to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Our Story
Exponent II was founded in 1974 by a group of Mormon women in Cambridge, Massachusetts. These women were inspired by the original periodical, the Woman’s Exponent (1872-1914), to create a forum “poised on the dual platforms of Mormonism and Feminism.”
How we have expressed this dual platform has evolved over time. In the 1990s we changed the original phrase, “Our common bond is our commitment to the Church and the women of the Church” to “Our common bond is our connection to the Church and our commitment to women.” And in 2020, we updated our mission statement to include gender minorities. What has always endured is our instance to honor all spiritual journeys in an atmosphere of trust.
For years, Exponent II has shared women’s voices in its quarterly magazine, and members of the community have convened at an annual retreat. Our reach has expanded as technology has advanced: the blog, founded in January 2006, has reached millions. As we look to the future, we are focused on growth and building a more inclusive community.
To read more about our history, read this essay by Carrel Hilton Sheldon from Vol. 22 No. 4 Summer 1999.
