The Asha Journal
“It is the goal of this new monthly journal of the American Speech and Hearing Association to provide the members of this Association…with essential information about the activities of the Executive Council and the Committees of the Association…articles and special reports of general interest to the membership….”
- Editor’s comment, 1st issue Asha, September 1959
The first issue of Asha was published in September 1959 with Dr. Kenneth Johnson, ASHA’s first Executive Secretary, as editor. The official “house organ” as Johnson referred to it was meant to fill a void left by the JSHD and the JSHR, which was news of a non-technical nature for the membership. Asha reported Association news and business to the membership on a monthly basis. It was the principal vehicle of communication among the Association’s officers, boards, committees and members.
The first issue was almost entirely devoted to the convention program for that year’s convention in Cleveland, Ohio. This became an annual feature in Asha until its discontinuation in 1999. The Asha kept the same cover look for 20 years with the well-known green stripe across the front. It was noted by Dr. Johnson years later that this was a conscious decision so as not to have to worry with what or who would be featured on each month’s cover.
In 1979, Asha was updated with a new look and the use of color. Various redesigns would appear over the next two decades but the publication would remain a monthly until 1996, when at which time the ASHA Leader was introduced. After this date, the Asha changed to a quarterly publication with a focus on in-depth practical stories with an outlook as a resource for those outside the membership.
The ASHA Leader was described in its inaugural issue as a twice-monthly newspaper of important information to the professions offered in a concise and easy to read format. Featured stories and employment ads were transferred from the Asha to the ASHA Leader. A decision by ASHA’s Legislative Council to veto a dues increase for 2000 forced a reduction in the publications budget and the Asha was chosen for discontinuation at the end of 1999 after 40 years of publication, and the ASHA Leader became the Association’s official trade journal.