John Mack Carter

John Mack Carter
Born(1928-02-28)February 28, 1928[1]
Murray, Kentucky, USA[1]
DiedSeptember 26, 2014(2014-09-26) (aged 86)[1]
EducationUniversity of Missouri (BA, MA) 1949[1]
Occupation(s)Editor, publisher[1]
Years active1949-2014[1]
Children2
Awards • American Society of Magazine Editors (2000)[1]
 • Advertising Women of New York award[1]
 • New York Women in Communications award[1]
 • National Women's Political Caucus award[1]

John Mack Carter (February 28, 1928-September 26, 2014) was an American magazine editor, best known for his editorship of multiple women's magazines.[1]

Carter served as editor of each of the “Big Three” women's magazines: McCall's from 1961 to 1965, Ladies’ Home Journal from 1965 to 1974, and Good Housekeeping from 1975 to 1994.[1][2][3][4] Under his tenure magazines began putting photos of celebrities on the cover which became a commonplace practice.[1] As head of Hearst Magazine Enterprises he also helped create and develop other magazines, including the financial magazine SmartMoney, Marie Claire and Country Living.[1] He was inducted into the Hall of Fame of the American Society of Magazine Editors in 2000.[1]

In March 1970, more than 100 feminists led by Susan Brownmiller stormed Carter's office at the Ladies’ Home Journal and held an eleven-hour sit-in, demanding that he resign.[1][5][6][7][8] He declined but, after that, strove to become more responsive to the concerns of women.[1] He published essays by some of the protesters in a later issue about divorce, childbirth, and other feminist issues.[1] Upon later reflection, he described the sit-in event as a turning point in his thinking. After that, he was more willing to publish stories about job discrimination and sexual harassment and work to advance causes related to women.[1][5]

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