Marcia Ann Gillespie obit

Marcia Ann Gillespie, Former Editor-In-Chief Of ESSENCE, Dies At 82

A pioneering journalist who helped establish ESSENCE as a leading publication for Black women, Gillespie leaves behind a legacy that continues to influence the magazine industry.

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Marcia Ann Gillespie, the pioneering journalist and former editor-in-chief of ESSENCE who helped establish the magazine as an influential publication for Black women, has died. She was 82.

A respected figure in American publishing, Gillespie spent decades advocating for greater representation in the media while creating opportunities for Black women to tell their own stories. Her leadership during ESSENCE’s formative years helped establish an editorial identity that continues to influence the publication today.

Born July 10, 1944, in Rockville Centre, New York, Gillespie grew up on Long Island in a working-class household. Her father worked as a church sexton and operated a floor-waxing business, while her mother worked as a domestic employee and ran a catering business. Gillespie attended Lake Forest College in Illinois, graduating in 1966 with a degree in American studies. She subsequently relocated to New York City, where she began her publishing career as a researcher at Time-Life Books.

In 1970, Gillespie joined the newly established ESSENCE as managing editor. Just one year later, at 26, she was promoted to editor-in-chief, assuming leadership of a magazine created specifically to serve Black women at a time when it was needed most. Under her direction, ESSENCE experienced significant growth and became a trusted publication among readers who rarely saw themselves represented with comparable depth in national magazines.

Gillespie also helped develop future editorial leaders, including Susan L. Taylor, who would eventually succeed her as editor-in-chief. After leaving ESSENCE in 1980, Gillespie joined Ms. magazine, eventually becoming its editor-in-chief in 1992. Her appointment made her the first Black woman to lead a mainstream American magazine. She subsequently helped establish Liberty Media for Women, which acquired Ms. in 1998, preserving an important publication devoted to women's rights.

Beyond magazine publishing, Gillespie contributed to Maya Angelou: A Glorious Celebration, a biography of the acclaimed author published in 2008. She also taught media and communications at SUNY Old Westbury and supported organizations devoted to women's advancement. Her achievements earned numerous honors, including recognition from the University of Missouri School of Journalism.