Martha Nelson has just been named the new Editor-in-Chief of Time magazine. Nelson, will be the first woman to hold the post in the 70 plus years that the weekly has existed.

Nelson, who has been the editorial director for the magazine since 2010, will start her new position in January. She has spent over 20 years at Time Inc. in various positions including as the editor of Time Inc.’s Style and Entertainment group, an editor of the People group and is the founding editor of In Style. For three years, she has also been one of the World’s Most Powerful Women by Forbes.

Time Inc.’s CEO, Laura Lang, commented on Nelson stepping into her new position.

Martha is the ideal leader to step into this role at this point in our company’s evolution. She is a creative thinker with a visceral understanding of the consumer. And as we move to a multi-platform strategy, her strong consumer focus along with her broad understanding of both print and digital media will help ensure we make that transition successfully.  She is one of the most respected and influential leaders in the publishing business and I’m delighted she will be our next Editor-in-Chief.

The magazine also announced today that Barack Obama will be the "Person of the Year."  There hasn't been an individual woman who has received that honor in 26 years.  Hopefully Nelson’s elevation could help shift that narrative.

Time Promotes Martha Nelson to Editor-in-Chief (Fishbowl NY)