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Clara Jeffery
Editor in Chief at Mother Jones
Clara Jeffery is a prominent American journalist currently serving as the Editor-in-Chief of Mother Jones, a position she has held since May 2015. Prior to this role, she was co-editor alongside Monika Bauerlein from 2006 to 2015, and she initially joined Mother Jones as Deputy Editor in 2002. Under her leadership, the magazine has expanded significantly, adding bureaus in Washington, D.C., and New York, while also growing its print circulation to over 215,000 copies.13
Early Life and Education
Born on August 25, 1967, in Baltimore, Maryland, Jeffery was raised in Arlington, Virginia. She attended Sidwell Friends School and later graduated from Carleton College with a degree in English Language and Literature. She earned her Master’s degree in journalism from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University in 1993.31
Career Highlights
Jeffery's career began as an intern at the Chicago Reporter and included roles at the Washington City Paper and Harper's Magazine, where she served as Senior Editor for six years. Notably, she edited several articles that were nominated for National Magazine Awards during her time at Harper's.32
At Mother Jones, Jeffery has overseen critical investigative reporting initiatives. One of the magazine's most significant achievements during her tenure was breaking the "47-percent" video story in 2012, which had a substantial impact on the presidential election that year. Under her guidance, Mother Jones has also received multiple National Magazine Awards, including Magazine of the Year in 2017.14
Impact on Journalism
Jeffery is recognized for her commitment to original reporting and investigative journalism. She has played a crucial role in transforming Mother Jones into a multimedia platform that emphasizes daily news coverage and audience engagement through social media.4 Her leadership has not only increased the magazine's readership but also established it as a respected voice in American journalism.
In summary, Clara Jeffery is a key figure in modern journalism, known for her editorial leadership at Mother Jones and her dedication to investigative reporting.
