The guardian. [volume] (Boston, Mass.) 1901-1960, 1939-01-07

G
paper reporters and columnists as well
as women of other races? What con-
tSrlDuIlonS TO Race newspapers have
been made by the fair sex? Do o,r
readers appreciate reading after the
pen OF woman as much as of a man ,
VINO are some of the leading women
VINO nave made good in the field If
race Journalism? '0 VI
Not long ago l had the pleasure Of
discussing the above questions with q
promo young newspaper woman DIR
ing trip to Boston. This ladv CON
slider an example of the Colored
woman IN Journalism. of whom I have
known many: and in her own right
deserves high appreciation. -
ihomaslna Walker-J Johnson. 36
windsor Street, Boston, Mass, deliv.
cred an address for the Annual
achievement Week program. given nv
the Gamma and Eta Phi Chapters Of
the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. at ST
Mark Congregational Church. She
writes: My dear Mr.. Snelson. I shall
never forget my first attempt at news
paper work. ;. Remember nv Atlantic
City column in the Tattler? wears
ago.. =. May say what a helm Won
We're to me in getting the material
together for my speech on "The Col
otred Woman in the Field of Journal
ISM, a few weeks ago. | knew most
OF the contemporary writer's but the
older ones were unknown to me and
there was no place to get the material
except from some one who knew them
as you did. received many compli-
ments on the speech. E. 1t must have
oeen good, the way people have talked
about 1t. Many thanks to you.
APPRECIATION
Mrs. Johnson, l thank you for YOUR
remarks, and only wish that could
nave given you even more information.
but your request came on the spur of
moment, when | had little time to
give much thought to your topic. |
think you have given very creditable
account of our women in the Journal
lstlc field, so / am taking the liberty
to review few excerpts of the facts
you have enumerated, for the benefit
of my readers:
" 'ChAN JOO ALISI >
No picture of the race in the field
of Journalism would be complete with
out mention of the part our women
have played. Certainly nothing has
had so much influence on the progress
that the race has made as the Colored
Press. The story of the Colored wo-
man journalist began in 1899 when
Antolnette Knox, wife of the editor of
the indianapolis Freeman, wrote for
and about the Colored actresses and
. actors in the days Of Williams and
Walker, which Abbie Mitchell and
others well known took part.
we now find our women writing in
all branches of the newspaper world,
mainly in such columns as homemak-
ing, fashions, beauty culture, editori-
ais, advisers, philosophy, success sto-
RES, feature articles, women and
children's pages, school teachers, news
stories, and reporters. The largest
phase is possibly that of society colum-
nists.
"In the ownership of newspapers
our women stand high. The California
Eagle, the Philadelphia Tribune.
Tampa Bulletin and Boston Guardian
are owned almost entirely by women.
While many of the powers behind the
throne on other papers are women.
Among the veteran women writer's
are Nettie George Speedy who served
as society editor of the Chicago De-
fender from 1910 until 1898. EVELYN
acknowledgements began with the
Philadelphia Tribune some years ago.
She now writes "Seaboard Society
Swlshes" for the Pittsburgh Courier.
She is essentially poet and his pub
llshed-a book of verse called "No Ala
baster Box" Ruth Shipley, of an old
Md. family writes in the same paper
about Baltimore.
Mamie Osby-Brown is editor of the
Louisiana Weekly at New Orleans,
and has very dynamic personality
which is reflected in her brilliant edi-
torials. She is graduate of the Uni
versity of Illinois.
Bertha Perry-Rhodes is the eldest
daughter of the late Chris Perry.
founder of the Philadelphia Tribune,
and has been an impressive factor in
the affairs of the Quaker City. She
married E. Washington Rhodes, pro-
minent young attorney and he is the
editor of the paper. She is president
of the company, editor of the woman's
page and truly the guiding light of
the paper.
Charlotte Spear-Bass is owner and
editor of the California Eagle, the
largest and oldest paper on the Pacific
coast. She began as a stenographer,
married the owner and editor and after
his death became sole owner. Incl
dentally, she is a New England girl
and halls from Providence, R. I.
"Maude Trotter- Steward, sister of
the late VIM. Monroe Trotter, is owner
and editor of the Boston Guardian.
having inherited the publication at Mr..
Trotter's death in 1884. This paper
under the unrelenting spirit and sturdy
efforts of Mrs. Steward has followed
IN the footsteps of her brother, as a
champion for human rights and foe
against segregation. Mrs. Steward,
who is Massachusetts born, is We'll
lesley College woman and has taken
part in Democratic politics and civic
movements.
"Mrs. F. E. Potter is co-owner and
manager with her husband of the