I just completed our Christmas cards including one for Albert Applegate. Albert is the brother of the late Roberta Applegate, women’s page journalist in the 1950s and 1960s in Michigan and then Miami. (She was also a wire reporter during WWII and a journalistic/PR first in several areas.) One of my favorite moments was presenting her Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame Award to him at Michigan State a few years ago. Below is video of me giving the award to Albert and then his acceptance.

I found a new reference to women’s page journalist Roberta Applegate. She had a letter to the editor published in this 1957 issue of Life magazine. Here is a link to the letter.

I found a new reference to women’s page journalist Roberta Applegate. She had a letter to the editor published in this 1957 issue of Life magazine. Here is a link to the letter.

Roberta Applegate would be so happy that Michigan State is in the NCAA Final Championship. The great women’s page journalist was a Michigan State grad – her father was famous Michigan State journalism professor Triple A Applegate. She was a big sports fan and cheered for Michigan State her entire life. I was happy to induct her in the Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame at Michigan State last Spring.

Today I found a reference to women’s page journalist Roberta Applegate in a Feb. 2, 1945 story in the Chicago Daily Tribune. The column (really a round up of news items), verifies one of the many challenges Roberta faced early in her career: “Officials in change of the press box in Michigan State College’s Jenison fieldhouse hitherto barred to women, have had to change the rule to accommodate Miss Roberta Applegate of the Associated Press’ Lansing bureau.” Here’s a link to more about Roberta.

Today while at the YMCA, I read Jim Gorant’s story in Sports Illustrated about the rescue of the Michael Vick dogs. It was very well written. (A favorite line: “If you’re a dog and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals suggests you be put down, you’ve got problems.”) In the story, Gorant writes that “pit bulls have an image problem” and went on to describe that in reality, the dog can be quite gentle. This reminded me of women’s page journalist Roberta Applegate. Described as the “light of her life” was Roberta’s pit bull terrier Binker. Roberta was quick to defend the breed. Carol Oukrop said of her friendship…