This issue of Hypatia, the first of our inaugural volume as an independent journal, reflects the breadth and depth of feminist philosophy. The articles range from discussions of the women philosophers in ancient Greece to the nature/nurture distinction in contemporary science. The authors work within traditions ranging from existentialism to analytic philosophy of language. Their subjects of interest vary from sexist humor to romantic love; from the concept of self‐respect to the role of Antigone as a model for feminists. What they share is a feminst commitment to understanding and ending the sexist oppression of women, and a sense of the relevance of philosophy to that task.

Members of the Society for Women in Philosophy created Hypatia to address that task, to provide a forum for dialogue on the philosophical issues raised by the women's liberation movement. Hypatia was launched in 1983 as “a journal within a journal,” published as special annual issues of Women's Studies International Forum (WSIF), under the editorship of Azizah al‐Hibri. WSIF published three issues of Hypatia under this arrangement from 1983–1985.

As an autonomous journal, we will continue to publish a combination of general issues and special issues on a single topic, or comprising papers from a conference. We are currently soliciting papers for special issues on “Feminist Perspectives on Science,” edited by Nancy Tuana, and on “French Feminist Philosophy,” edited by Sandra Bartky and Nancy Fraser. In addition to publishing full length articles, we will continue to publish critical reviews of books in feminist philosophy, and critical responses to articles for the Comment/Reply section.

As a new feature, we are creating a Forum section for the publication of short (2–3 page) philosophy papers on a designated topic. The Forum, edited by Maria Lugones, is designed to encourage philosophical dialogue on a single topic through the accelerated publication of short papers. The topic for the first Forum, to appear in our next general issue, is “Competition in Feminist Philosophy.” For deadline dates, information on submitting a paper for the Forum, for one of the special issues, or for general submissions to Hypatia, please see the Submission Guidelines.

This issue has been long in the making and would not have been possible without the generous support and encouragement of many persons. I gratefully acknowledge the support of Barbara Teters, Vice President and Provost of Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville; David Butler, Dean of the School of Humanities; Galen Pletcher, Chairperson of the SIUE Department of Philosophical Studies; and those Philosophy graduate students in the Department's Graduate Specialization in Women's Studies who have served as Assistant Editors for Hypatia: Tamera Bryant, Kitty Henderson, Theresa Norman, Cathy Surack, and Kate Taylor.

I am indebted as well to the members of the Hypatia editorial board for their leadership and assistance during the last two years, to the authors who have stayed with us during this long transition period, to the scholars who have read manuscripts for us (see Announcements), and to our subscribers whose faith in our future have made this issue a reality.

I would also like to thank Phyllis Hall at Pergamon Press; Clare Moses, of Feminist Studies; and the following members of the SIUE and neighboring communities for their personal support: Alice Aslind, Susan Ades, John Celuch, Pam DeCoteau, Barbara Crowder, J.J. DeRousse, Elizabeth Eames, Paul Gaston, Edward Hudlin, Vaughnie Lindsey, Joe Melosi, Maria Melosi, Stephanie Robbins, Jan Scott, Mikels Skele, Margaret Stapleton, Alvin Sullivan, Joyce Trebilcot, Jean Vassier, and with special thanks to Hypatia's Business Manager, Lauren Ruff.