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Kate Avino launched “Her Culture” magazine during her senior year at Indian Hills High School as a result of an AP Italian assignment.
“We had to go back to our families and talk about traditions,” said Avino, a Little Falls native. “I talked to my mom and grandma but neither had much to say — there was no real tradition from our ancestors.”
Avino launched the magazine that weekend in hopes of preserving all she could about her family’s Italian heritage.
She figured other girls her age could use the platform, too.
That weekend, she assembled her executive team of 10 and within a month had a magazine set to publish every two months.
“I wanted stories that weren’t necessarily told all the time,” said Avino ,who is majoring in media, culture and communications with minor in business studies.
“It’s important for women to be empowered by their cultures. We’re so homogenized today and a lot of those traditions are being lost in the mix,” she said.
“The magazine would be a good way to bring those back.”
One of the first articles was from a woman in Pakistan who talked about rape culture. Recent articles focus on helping Syrian refugees, feminism vs. capitalism and hundreds more.
Avino launched a podcast to go along with it two weeks ago and is hoping create more exclusive online content, such as videos. Her team, which includes only one male who handles finances, has grown to 85 people.
She hopes to do more with video, particularly world-class interviews, and more digital enhancements.
The subject matter varies but all women can relate.
“It’s really hard for women to put out their voices in a way that supports them,” Avinio said. “The magazine really gives women a chance to speak and be supported and heard in an environment where they might not have then opportunity to do so.”
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