Helen Valentine (1893–1986,) born Helen Rose Lachman, was an American magazine editor and media innovator, best known for founding Seventeen and Charm, shaping teen and working women’s media in the mid-20th century.
Born in Manhattan, New York, Valentine was the only child of German Jewish immigrants. She attended the Ethical Culture School and graduated from Barnard College, developing an interest in writing and media.
She started as a copywriter before moving into magazine publishing. In 1944, as promotion director for Mademoiselle, she proposed a teen magazine, recognizing young consumers’ growing influence. This led to Seventeen, the first magazine dedicated to teenage girls, shaping youth culture and fashion. Within 18 months, its circulation reached one million.
In 1950, Valentine revamped Charm, transforming it into the first fashion magazine for working women. It was later merged into Glamour after Condé Nast acquired it.
Beyond publishing, she advocated for women’s financial independence, delivering talks like How to Keep More of the Money You Earn (1954,) influencing tax relief legislation for working women.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Helen Valentine
Of course, this is the season to be jolly, but it is also a good time to be thinking about those who aren’t.
—Helen Valentine
Topics: Christmas
Leave a Reply