In 2025, Sage will be celebrating its 50th anniversary. For five decades, this prestigious publishing company has been at the forefront of academic and professional literature, providing valuable insights and research to the global community. As we pause to reflect on our journey, it is an opportune time to delve into our origin story and the remarkable woman who started it all – Sara Miller McCune.
At the age of 24, Sara Miller McCune had a dream to create a publishing company that would cater to the ever-evolving needs of academia, researchers, and professionals. With a determination and passion that knew no bounds, she founded Sage in 1975, in a small garage in Southern California. Armed with only a typewriter, a phone, and a vision, Sara took on the male-dominated publishing industry, setting a new precedent that would inspire women entrepreneurs for years to come.
Sara’s background as an anthropologist and her love for literature and research propelled her to create a publishing company that would bridge the gap between academia and society. With her keen understanding of the changing landscape of the social sciences, she saw the need for a publisher who could provide high-quality content and innovative publishing methods. Thus, Sage was born, and as they say, the rest is history.
From our humble beginnings, Sage has grown to become one of the world’s leading independent academic publishers, with over 1,500 employees and offices in over 25 countries. Our commitment to providing exceptional content, innovative publishing solutions, and unparalleled customer service has made us a trusted and sought-after partner for authors, educators, and researchers worldwide.
At the heart of Sage’s success lies Sara’s unwavering dedication to knowledge creation and dissemination. Her unwavering commitment to academic excellence and passion for the social sciences has shaped everything Sage stands for. Her vision of fostering a global community of critical thinkers and fostering an understanding of the world around us remains the cornerstone of our company’s philosophy.
Over the past five decades, Sage has published over 1,500 journals, 900 books, and countless digital resources, covering a diverse range of subject areas, from psychology and education to business and environmental studies. Our books and journals have won numerous awards and accolades, cementing our position as a leader in the publishing industry. We are also proud to have published groundbreaking and influential research from renowned authors, including Noam Chomsky, Amartya Sen, and Howard Gardner, among others.
As we celebrate our 50th anniversary, we remain committed to our core values of fostering critical thinking and promoting social change. Our aim is to continue to provide a platform for important and diverse voices from around the world, shaping the future of scholarship and research.
Sage’s success story would not have been possible without the support and contributions of our authors, readers, partners, and employees. We are deeply grateful for their unwavering support and trust in our ability to deliver impactful content and innovative publishing solutions.
Looking towards the future, Sage is poised to continue its legacy of excellence and innovation. With the rapid advancements in technology and changing needs of the academic community, we are continuously evolving to provide cutting-edge resources and services to our customers. We are also committed to expanding our global reach and partnership networks to foster cross-cultural dialogue and understanding.
As we celebrate our origin story, we are reminded of Sara’s wise and motivating words, “Knowledge is power, and it can change the world.” At Sage, we strive to embody this message in everything we do and continue to make a positive impact on the world through our mission to disseminate knowledge and spark meaningful change.
In conclusion, as we embark on the 50th-anniversary celebrations, we are filled with gratitude, pride, and optimism. We are proud of our incredible journey, and we look forward to the next 50 years with excitement and determination, guided by Sara’s pioneering spirit. Join us as we continue to celebrate the gift of a nocturnal anthropologist and her vision that has shaped Sage into the powerhouse it is today. Thank you, Sara Miller McCune, for inspiring us all.



