The team and board at Herizons warmly bid farewell to our fearless colleague, leader, and friend, Penni Mitchell, who has retired after three decades of service to the magazine. Penni’s influence on her colleagues is immeasurable. Her kindness, thoughtful consideration, and persistence fostered a collaborative, intellectually stimulating, and vibrant work environment. The editorial committee will always cherish the lively debates over ideas at Penni’s dining room table, complemented by her famous chocolate chip cookies and a cup of tea (or was it wine?). Those meetings were always filled with laughter and a shared joy in our collective work.

In 1992, Penni, along with Patricia Rawson, undertook the relaunch of Herizons, establishing the magazine as a national voice for the women’s movement in Canada. Penni’s unwavering dedication, passion, and commitment to feminist publishing cemented Herizons as the country’s longest-standing feminist magazine, introducing feminist struggles to countless Canadians.

As managing editor, Penni curated content that included interviews with a diverse and influential array of artists, writers, politicians, and musicians. She also served on the board of the Manitoba Magazine Publishers Association (MMPA) for 15 years and received the Robertine Barry Award and an MMPA Award for her feminist columns. In 2015, Penni authored the primer, About Canada: Women’s Rights, published by Fernwood Publishing.

For the last 22 months, Penni has been instrumental in mentoring a talented new editor, Christina Hajjar. The summer 2024 issue of Herizons includes a tribute to Penni. Be sure to check it out.

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Want to send Penni a retirement greeting?
Send an email to: penni@herizons.ca

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