Gloria Biggs

But in reality, Biggs’ new position was really just a title – she did not have true authority. As publisher, she could not make final decisions. Instead, she had to report to male publisher of the Cocoa Beach Today. This was revealed in a 1974 Editor & Publisher article abut Christy Bulkeley who was named publisher of the Gannett newspaper, the Times-Union in Rochester, New York. The article revealed that: “Technically, Bulkeley is the first woman to be put in full control of a Gannett Group newspaper.” In retrospect, it would make sense that Biggs would not be given full control because she lacked experience. Women’s page editors rarely had budgetary nor personnel control.

Ultimately, Biggs was moved into a special projects coordinator at the Gannet headquarters. In January 1978, Biggs wrote to Marie Anderson: “my professional life is somewhat drifting. If you have that same feeling about yourself, we should put our heads together. Gad, what a powerhouse we could be.” In later years, Biggs edited a Handbook for Caribbean Journalists during her work with the World Press Freedom Committee, which was headed by George Beebe, who had been an editor of the Miami Herald.

The Columbia Missourian did a package on women journalists that included Gloria.