Julia Ringwood Coston facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Julia Ringwood Coston
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1863
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| Born | Warrenton, Virginia |
| Died | June 1, 1931 (aged 67–68) Washington, District of Columbia |
| Occupation | Magazine Editor |
| Nationality | American |
| Genre | Biography |
| Notable works | Ringwood’s Afro-American Journal of Fashion |
| Spouse | William Hilary Coston |
Julia Ringwood Coston (born around 1863 – died June 1, 1931) was an important American publisher and magazine editor in the late 1800s. She made history in 1891 by starting Ringwood's Afro-American Journal of Fashion. This was the very first magazine with pictures made specifically for Black women.
Julia's Early Life and School
Julia Ringwood Coston was born on a farm called Ringwood Farm in Warrenton, Virginia. She got her unique middle name, "Ringwood," because her father promised her mother that if their first child was a girl, she would be named after the farm.
Even though she was born in Virginia, Julia grew up in Washington, D.C.. Her family moved there when she was just a baby. Julia went to public schools until she was about 13 years old. Sadly, she had to leave school early because her mother became ill. Julia then needed to help support her family.
Starting Her Career
After leaving school, Julia found a job as a governess. This meant she helped teach and care for the children of a general in the United States Army. This job was helpful because it gave her time and support to keep learning and studying on her own.
In the spring of 1886, Julia married Rev. William Hilary Coston. He was studying at Yale University at the time. They had two children together: a daughter named Julia R. and a son named W. H. Coston.
A Big Idea: Her Magazine
When Julia was a young girl, she noticed something important. Most magazines in the United States didn't show Black people. If they did, it was rarely in a positive way. She really wanted to see Black faces in magazines. She also wanted to read stories about Black people that were interesting and showed their achievements.
This strong desire led her to create Ringwood's Afro-American Journal of Fashion. It was a big dream that she made come true! The very first message in her magazine explained why she started it. It said that the magazine was created to meet a common wish among Black people for their own illustrated magazine.
Julia felt that not having a magazine focused on Black women and their homes was harmful. She knew this feeling from when she was a girl and still felt it as a woman. She believed that the only way to fix this problem was to create such a magazine. So, she published Ringwood's Journal to celebrate Black women and their lives.
Images for kids
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William Hilary Coston (left), Julia Ringwood Coston (right), and their children
