If you are like most women across the country who receive Cosmopolitan magazine every month, you cannot wait to open the newest copy with the latest tips and trends. Let’s face it; just as Elle Woods said, it’s the Bible. Cosmopolitan is one of the most popular women’s magazines not only in the country, but also around the world. And it all started with a little help from a woman named Helen Gurley Brown. With Brown’s determination and vision for the magazine, Cosmopolitan has not only become a newsstand favorite; it has empowered women all over the world.
Brown, who passed away at age 90 this past August, joined Cosmopolitan in 1962 after publishing her bestselling book “Sex and the Single Girl”. This then-scandalous book prompted the dramatic change Cosmopolitan was about to make. Quickly following the release of her book, Brown received immense amounts of fan mail begging her for advice on issues ranging from beauty, to health, to sex. With her vision and determination Brown was able to re-brand Cosmopolitan to add a more frank approach to the issues women really cared about. And Cosmopolitan has never looked back. Sure the magazine has faced harsh criticism, especially at the start of this more open discussion of sex. Some of these haters will say that the magazine is just trash and that they wouldn’t be caught dead reading it. These people clearly have no idea of the larger impact Cosmopolitan has made on women around the world.
Cosmopolitan has 64 international editions worldwide with distributions in more than 100 countries in 35 languages, making it the largest-selling young women’s magazine in the world! Aside from being one of the most popular magazines, it is also increasing feminism and female empowerment.
“Indonesia is the largest Muslim country in the world,” Fira Basuki Baskoro, the editor of Cosmo Indonesia, said. “When Cosmo came to Indonesia, it changed the way the Indonesian woman thinks. Before Cosmo, it was taboo for women to talk about sex openly.”
Besides its more forthright opinions on sex, this publication also focuses on other values. With the Body Love section focusing on healthy eating and loving ones figure, it is clear that Cosmopolitan encourages a healthy lifestyle. These different values carry through to all additions of Cosmopolitan around the world. Although the articles may vary depending on that country’s specific preferences, it is clear that every Cosmopolitan branch holds the same values.
Cosmopolitan is always working towards the future with new ideas and articles. The recent departure of Kate White as Editor-in-Chief after 14 years marks the end of an era, but an exciting future for new head of staff, Joanna Coles. Cosmopolitan has made such an impact on women around the world, and will continue on this path for many years to come. Cosmopolitan has truly taken over the world.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/05/magazine/how-cosmo-conquered-the-world.html?pagewanted=all
http://www.cosmopolitan.com/about/about-us_how-cosmo-changed-the-world