Fifty plus advocate
Encyclopedia
History
The Fifty Plus Advocate Newspaper was founded in January 1975. It is the oldest, continuously published mature market publication in the United States.It was originally known as The Senior Advocate newspaper.
The founder and publisher in 1975 was Philip Davis. At the time he was 23 years old making him the youngest founder of a similar publication. His major influence in starting a senior newspaper was Maggie Kuhn
Maggie Kuhn
Maggie Kuhn was an American activist known for founding the Gray Panthers movement in 1971 after being forced into retirement by the Presbyterian Church...
founder of the Gray Panthers
Gray Panthers
The Gray Panthers was an organization in the United States founded by Maggie Kuhn in 1970, in response to her forced retirement at age 65. The group focused on health and other issues....
. As a 22-year-old reporter, Davis heard Maggie Kuhn
Maggie Kuhn
Maggie Kuhn was an American activist known for founding the Gray Panthers movement in 1971 after being forced into retirement by the Presbyterian Church...
speak at Quinsigamond Community College
Quinsigamond Community College
Quinsigamond Community College is a public, two-year academic institution in Worcester, Massachusetts. A commuter school, the college has an enrollment of over 8,000 students in its Associate's degree and certification programs...
in Worcester, Massachusetts
Worcester, Massachusetts
Worcester is a city and the county seat of Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. Named after Worcester, England, as of the 2010 Census the city's population is 181,045, making it the second largest city in New England after Boston....
. She talked about being forced to retire at 65. Davis found her speech very uplifting and decided to try to get into the senior newspaper field.
Circulation
Circulation in 1975 was limited to Worcester County, MassachusettsWorcester County, Massachusetts
-Demographics:In 1990 Worcester County had a population of 709,705.As of the census of 2000, there were 750,963 people, 283,927 households, and 192,502 families residing in the county. The population density was 496 people per square mile . There were 298,159 housing units at an average density...
. In 1988 the publication expanded into the Boston Market. Currently there are four editions (Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
Metropolitan Area; Central Massachusetts; South Shore of Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
and the Western Suburbs of Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
. Combined monthly circulation is 80,000 newspapers.