The Olsen Twins have done a lot of amazing things in their 30 years on earth, but The Row might not be their most impressive achievement. Come November, it might be that they predicted of the 45th president of the United States – when they were 14.
In 2001 Ashley and Mary-Kate were busy working on the April/May issue of their magazine, aptly titled Mary-Kate and Ashley. Eternally progressive, the teenagers took a break from their coverage of Aaron Cater’s birthday party, to devote nine pages to the question When will we get our first female president, and who might it be? The article offered 10 possibilities, including Elizabeth Dole, Dianne Feinstein, Maxine Waters and Kathleen Kennedy Townsend. But their number one pick was Hillary Clinton, who was just beginning her first term in the US senate at the time.
Beyond its political forecasting, the magazine itself was legitimately impressive. In its first issue, the same one that carried their presidential prediction, they explained they were starting a publication because “we’re tired of being talked down to, talked around, or not talked to at all.” They were clear, this was “real talk for real girls.”
Remember, this was ten years before Rookie sparked a tidal waves of independent and inspiring publications by young women. There is no doubt the Olsens were ahead of their time in more than just style. Other pieces in the magazine explored how the media can skew the way young women perceive their own looks, and a spotlight on volunteer work. Plus some a-grade advice on making friendship bracelets.
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Text Wendy Syfret
Image via @sephora