By Marci Narum
Look at a collection of old Inspired Woman magazines, and you get a snapshot of local and North Dakota history. Women whose faces grace the cover of the magazine have come from all walks of life. There are non-profit founders and directors, a rodeo queen, and a bakery owner. Occasionally, you even see the man on the cover.
Kim Jondahl was writing and helping design those cover stories and pages of history from the beginning. She was the first editor of this magazine, which began as Inspire in 2002.
“It was a great opportunity to dive into something I was passionate about,” remembers Kim. “We’re all here to make the world a better place. And through Inspire, the team working on this and I could help do that in Bismarck-Mandan. I had seen a couple of women’s magazines when I traveled, but a women’s magazine was new to North Dakota. So it was such a great opportunity to take this concept and make it something really wonderful for women.”
As editor, Kim wrote many of the articles for the magazine, and even did most of the photography.
“I was seeking out everything from crafts to recipes, and usually making the craft or recipe and taking a picture,” Kim laughs.
She worked closely with the magazine’s graphic designer, Kitty Perry.
“Kitty was fabulous. We used to sit down and lay it out together. She is extremely creative and fun and kind. I couldn’t have worked with a better designer. “
Paging through copies of the magazine, Kim remembers fondly the interviews, photo shoots, and stories.
“The magazine started in 2002, but many of those same key topics are still relevant to women today. We were talking about health and wellness and career and how to make your dreams come true and home decorating and recipes, and all those things are still important to people.”
“I learned a great deal from everyone I interviewed. Local women were changing the world, then and now, through large and small actions. Our cover women inspired others to think, ‘Wow, if she can do that, maybe I can do that or I can do something similar to make a difference.’”
Kim is making a difference in her own work, as the Communications and Education Director for the State Historical Society of North Dakota. She was the magazine editor until 2008, and has held various other jobs since then. But she has always continued to follow Inspired Woman magazine.
“I love seeing the magazine and read through every issue. There were friendships and connections made through this magazine that I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to form without this editorial work. Those relationships have continued through the years as a valuable part of life.
“I was very honored and blessed to serve as the first editor and wouldn’t change a thing about that entire experience. It was a great way to promote women’s remarkable journeys. I couldn’t be more pleased that the magazine is still here today in a fresh format. I think it’s important for our community and our state to recognize the amazing things that women are accomplishing every day.”