- Melinda Garvey
Publisher & Co-Founder - Samantha Stevens
Co-Founder - Mary Anne Connolly
Editor
In 2001, when Austin's boom was going bust, there was one entrepreneurially-spirited woman who moved to town at the urging of a lifelong friend, fell in love with the place and decided to stay.
Newcomer Melinda Maine Garvey was immediately impressed with the high-powered, energetic, independent, fun and fascinating women she met through longtime resident Samantha Stevens, and was then struck by an idea: a free monthly magazine distributed across Austin with a mission to salute these women and all the women in Austin. In less than a year, the pair had everything in place, including editor Elizabeth Eckstein, a veteran writer, editor and accomplished journalist.
The result...austinwoman magazine...debuted in September 2002. On its cover, an Austin icon – Amy Miller, the woman behind the tastiest landmark in the city, Amy's Ice Creams.
Inside the inaugural 28-page issue were articles by freelance writers on Miller and three other Austin women; the beginnings of what would become regular features on the joys of wine, food, books and travel; the first calendar of events; and stories on fashion and relationships. Another standard was also set from the very first issue...beautiful ads.
A high journalistic standard was set by Eckstein in the first 3 years; then carried forward by Mary Anne Connolly, who became editor in September 2005. With her combined experience in writing, producing and editing feature stories for nationally-broadcast television newsmagazines and luxury lifestyle print publications, Connolly ushered in a fresh look and attitude, including the establishment of regular features and new columns such as Worth, Green, Spagirl, Spirits, Inspiration, Fitness and Gadget Girl, to name just a few; as well as the ever-popular special feature sections behind the cover story, each with a unique theme highlighting an additional group of “cover-worthy” women every month. A transformative approach to feature profiles and regular columns has been greatly enhanced by the continued contribution and high standards of recent addition as special features editor, experienced editor and writer (and steadfast friend of the magazine) Julie Tereshchuk.
The women featured in austinwoman magazine are as fascinating, accomplished and diverse as the city they live in: from business leaders like Keller Williams’ Mo Anderson to multimillion dollar, high-end realtor Tosca Gruber; advertising and media mavens Gay Gaddis, MP Mueller and Judy Maggio; politicos and state reps Dawnna Dukes, Donna Howard and State Comptroller Susan Coombs; internationally-known musicians Eliza Gilkyson, Ruthie Foster and Kelly Willis; sports figures Jody Conradt and Bev Kearney; arts pioneers Sylvia Orozco and Teresa Lozano Long; and political legends Molly Ivins, Liz Carpenter and Lady Bird Johnson.
In six years, austinwoman has grown to over 108 pages, with more than 800 phenomenal Austin businesswomen, inventors, doctors, chefs, mothers and managers ranging in age from teen to centenarian, all written about or featured in over 72 issues of stories on topics ranging from antiques auction know-how to women's hockey. All made possible through hardworking advertising account executives that serve more than 170 clients a month.
Milestones
The September 2003 Anniversary issue featured new, double-page glossy covers, with space for seven premium, full-bleed, advertising pages.
In May of 2008, a 5th Anniversary Special Issue was lovingly created, celebrating the first 60 cover women chronicled in just 5 years, updating readers on their unique stories. The issue was presented at a special anniversary luncheon held at the Renaissance Hotel, attended by nearly 500 women, many who came to hear several of the cover women answer questions from the audience. The first of many austinwoman Small Business Award Grants was also presented to first-time winner BlueAvocado.
In July 2008, the magazine debuted its new, purse-friendly size and perfect-bound pages. Also in 2008, the magazine’s website was thoroughly redesigned, updated and enhanced, including the introduction of an online digital edition; additional photos and content; and more interactive components to come.
Today, after six years, each issue of austinwoman surpasses the prior 100 pages of informative reading and great ads...all about, by and for the women of Austin.