Category:Our Own Gazette

Title(s)

Our Own Gazette; Young Women’s Christian Association News (1884-1928)

Blue Triangle Gazette (1928)

Editor(s)

Stephen (Mrs.) Menzies^[1]

Overview

Our Own Gazette was the official magazine for the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) in London. Each issue was sold for a penny, and it had “the second largest circulation of any Ladies’ Magazine in Great Britain.”^[2] It was published monthly and ran for forty-six years, from January 1884 to May 1928 under the title Our Own Gazette. After the May 1928 issue, the magazine’s name was changed to the Blue Triangle Gazette.

The YWCA “was formed as a result of a growing interest in the welfare of young women at work and the dangers they were to exposed on leaving home.” It helped them with “prayer, bible study and friendly social intercourse,” and it also was “aimed at developing body, mind and spirit.”^[3] As the name suggests, the magazine is heavily Christian with serials and short stories incorporating? Christian beliefs, along with monthly Bible readings, pen and ink Bible markings, scripture questions, and Bible studies done by Christian reverends. Additionally, the magazine had helpful tips for cooking and gardening projects, as well as book suggestions. The magazine also encouraged unknown writers to publish their work. Prizes were given to readers who sent in their work for publication. The magazine’s overall purpose was “to make Young Women’s daily lives easier, brighter, and holier.”^[4]

For Further Reading

“Our Own Gazette.” The Waterloo Directory of English Newspapers and Periodicals, 1800-1900, Series 2. Ed. John S. North. Waterloo, Ont: North Waterloo Academic Press. Web. 25 Mar. 2016.

Young Women's Christian Association. “Papers of the Young Women's Christian Association.” "A Summary Description of the Papers of the Young Women's Christian Association." Warwick University Library, n.d. Web. 1 Apr. 2016.

Notes

1. ↑ “Our Own Gazette,” The Waterloo Directory of English Newspapers and Periodicals, 1800-1900, Series 2, Ed. John S. North, Waterloo, Ont: North Waterloo Academic Press, Web, 25 Mar. 2016.
2. ↑ Maurice Baldwin, “Our Own Gazette.” "Life in a Look", Large Type ed. Liverpool: British Gospel Book Association, n.d. 94-95, Print.
3. ↑ Young Women's Christian Association, “Papers of the Young Women's Christian Association,” "A Summary Description of the Papers of the Young Women's Christian Association," Warwick University Library, n.d, Web, 1 Apr. 2016.
4. ↑ Maurice Baldwin, “Our Own Gazette.” "Life in a Look", Large Type ed. Liverpool: British Gospel Book Association, n.d. 94-95, Print.

Submitted by: Halladay, Bree: section 1, Winter 2010

Edited by: Holdaway, Chelsea: section 1, Fall 2014