...conjuring the image of a woman as the mistress of her castle with keys to every room of the household. The Chatelaine debuted in March 1928, laying the foundation for eighty years of conversation with Canadian women. Editor-in-chief Ann Elizabeth Wilson commented on the magazine's ability to "cast a long light" in her first editor's letter, but she couldn't have imagined the reach it would have. The Chatelaine approached so many subjects, from what to make for dinner to how to budget during the Depression to the politics behind women being declared persons, that it quickly became clear that The Chatelaine was no ordinary magazine.
– all text by Katie Dupuis

In 1931, 'The' was dropped from the brand as Chatelaine became a household name which carried enough recognition on its own. In the early to mid-30s, the tradition of relevant journalism continued, combined with helpful household tips from the Chatelaine Institute, etiquette and relationship advice (not all practical or even acceptable by our standards today), and the latest fashion and beauty trends. Later in the decade, a somber social shift affected Chatelaine's pages; Canada joined World War II in 1939, and the magazine stepped up as the eyes and ears of Canadian women while the country braced itself for the worst.

Byrne Hope Sanders lead by example, taking leave from the editorship of Chatelaine to head up the Wartime Prices and Trade Board. When World War II ended in 1945, Chatelaine helped to ease the transition out of the war years while addressing the new social issues that faced post-war Canada, including a growing population of women who had experienced the workforce and were not content to go back to the kitchen.

Byrne Hope Sanders stepped down from the editor-in-chief position in 1952, leaving the magazine in the hands of seasoned journalist Lotta Dempsey. Dempsey discovered that finding the scoop suited her more than editing the scoop and left after only eight months. John Clare, Chatelaine's only male editor, was appointed in 1952 and remained in the position for five years; Doris McCubbin Anderson, who started in the ranks of advertising sales, took over the top editorial post in 1957.

In 1967, Anderson, with Chatelaine in tow, championed the fight for a Royal Commission on the Status of Women to report to the federal government on steps to ensure equal opportunities for women. After leaving the magazine, Anderson was appointed chair of the Canadian Advisory Council on the Status of Women. The '60s also brought more celebrity coverage, featuring big names like Joan Crawford, Simone Debeauvoir, Julie Christie, and Hugh Hefner.

Mildred Istona, the then-editor of Miss Chatelaine (which evolved into Flare) took on the challenge. Monda Rosenberg, our intrepid food/nutrition editor, first appeared on the masthead in the January 1978 issue. Thirty years, more than 5,000 recipes, and nine cookbooks later, Monda's expertise is still helping to feed Canadian families.

Chatelaine continued to offer guidance on the newest trends in fashion (neon! bubble dresses!), home décor (large-scale cabbage roses, anyone?), and food, upholding its 60-year reputation as a reliable, all-purpose publication.

Chatelaine grew with its readers as women's roles changed in the workplace and in the home. Stories included reports on women in the Gulf War, the competitive nature of mothering and the rise of female guilt. Rona Maynard was hired upon Mildred Istona's resignation in 1985. Maynard remained in the position until 1995 and brought her Woman to woman column to the pages.

Healthy living became a key topic with the launch of the Healthiest Year Ever program in 2004. With each issue, we strive to meet the challenge cemented in our name: to be the definitive women's magazine in Canada, with keys to every door in the nation.