Newcomer Melinda Maine Garvey was immediately impressed with the high-powered, energetic, independent, fun andfascinating women she met through longtime resident Samantha Ostertag, and she was struck by an idea: a free monthly magazine distributed across Austin with a mission to salute these women and all the women of Austin. In less than a year, the pair had everything in place, including editor Elizabeth Eckstein, a veteran writer and editor.

The result...austinwoman magazine...debuted in September 2002. On its cover, an icon of Austin, Amy Miller, the woman behind the tastiest landmark in the city, Amy's Ice Creams.

Inside the 28-page issue were articles by freelance writers on Miller and three other Austin women; the beginnings of what would become regular features on the joys of wine, food, books and

travel; the first calendar of events; and stories on fashion and relationships. A high journalistic standard was set by Eckstein at the beginning, now under the guidance of Mary Anne Connolly. Another standard was set from the very first issue...beautiful ads, most of them created by Will Mokry, now the magazine's advertising art director.

In three years, austinwoman has grown to 92 pages, with more than 420 great Austin businesswomen, inventors, chefs, mothers and managers written about or featured in over 36 issues of stories on topics ranging from antiques auction know-how to women's hockey, and advertising account executives serving more than 170 clients a month.

The birthday September 2003 issue also featured new, double-page glossy covers, with space for seven premium, full-bleed advertising pages.

Today, after three years, each issue of austinwoman surpasses 90 pages of great reading and great ads...all about, by and for the women of Austin.

Mission accomplished.