AEJMC: Commission on the Status of Women paper
Lance and I learned that our paper, “A False Start, a Heavy Burden and Hugs: A Study of the Female “Firsts” in Newspaper Management” has been accept by the Commission on the Status of Women of AEJMC.
We looked at the careers of three women: Gloria Biggs as the first female publisher of her non-family owned newspaper in 1973, Carol Sutton as managing editor of a major metropolitan newspaper in 1974 and Janet Chusmir as executive editor of a major metropolitan newspaper in 1987. Their stories are important to understand how progress was made and how it was slowed. It also provides perspectives about the different paths to newspaper management for women. Lastly, the media coverage demonstrated that the role of gender continued to be a news value long after “firsts” had been achieved in other industries.
All three journalists were women’s page editors before being promoted to management. Both Carol and Janet were also mothers.
We’re looking forward to presenting the paper in St. Louis in August.
