I filed my first trademark when I was 22. Back when I was a recent graduate living in New York City. I wanted to start a magazine because I didn’t see myself reflected on the newsstands. What I wanted was those juicy Hollywood gossip stories, health/fitness, beauty, and yes especially politics/ current global issues all in one publication. But I had to buy like five different magazines to make all that happen while I knew men had publications like Esquire & GQ that respected both their intellectual curiosity and want for entertainment.
I’ve always had this dream of helping to keep people accountable – our leaders, the press, etc. because I had a dad that made damn sure we were informed while I was growing up. Even today he fills our inboxes with important news, cooking ideas, and fashion tips alike. He’s always been cautious about reliability in his news. My mom and three loving aunts care deeply about being politically and socially active. I’ve had the greatest role models. And yet I wasn’t out in the world for very long before realizing that most women in the heartland aren’t afforded this type of exposure to politics/community activism. I found that many were looking for a reliable source of news that spoke their language and didn’t make them feel intimidated or like they needed to know everything about each issue to be involved.
I honestly believe that intimidation tactics are pervasive and socially engrained in men in this country (not all of them, but most) and that intimidation makes women feel like they can’t speak up for fear that they’ll be verbally put down and attacked. While I’ve had a male role model who encouraged me to always speak up, raise my hand, and be heard, many women have only experienced the opposite: ridicule and condescension. So I wanted to create a safe space for women to say, “I will never know EVERYTHING about this topic, but here’s my thought on the matter.” We don’t learn or grow when we’re not discussing, when we don’t speak our minds, when we hold back.
The name “Sugarfree” came to me when I was frustrated that women in the heartland so often feel they have to be “nice” and “sweet” in order to be heard/ accepted/ palatable. Without a big smile and passive wording, you’re a bitch or a chest beater. On the contrary, I have found that women here are INCREDIBLY strong and do not need to be handled with kid gloves or provided with a “sugarcoating” all over the serious news we see every day. So on this new platform, we are committing to give it to you straight up, no side of sugar.
The truth is, each and every one of us has a vote in this country. All our opinions are weighed equally at the ballot box whether you’re a seasoned politician or a housewife raising 4 kids. I wanted to see more women use that voice.
When registering voters, women in Oklahoma made it clear to me they didn’t plan to vote until they understood what they were voting on. God bless them, they deserve a medal, because I can assure you no man has ever said that to me. But where did I want to send them to get more info? I didn’t see something I admired so I decided to build it myself. And here we are. 6 years in the making and I’m still building my dream publication. My dad always said, “we make our own luck.” Don’t see what you want? Make it yourself. I’ve tried to live that out and in a few weeks, my personal blog will take a big step towards being an official publication. I hope you will come along for the ride and catch us over on www.sugarfreemedia.co from now on!
Onward & upward!
X, Antigone