She Said What?: Interviews with Women Newspaper ColumnistsNo longer relegated to reporting on society happenings or household hints, women columnists have over the past twenty years surged across the boundary separating the women's or lifestyle sections and into the formerly male bastions of the editorial, financial, medical, and op-ed pages. Where men previously controlled the nation's news organizations, were the chief opinion givers, and defined what is newsworthy, many women newspaper columnists are now nationally syndicated and tackle the same subjects as their male counterparts, bringing with them distinctive styles and viewpoints. Through these frank and lively interviews, Maria Braden explores the lives and work of columnists Erma Bombeck, Jane Brody, Mona Charen, Merlene Davis, Georgie Anne Geyer, Dorothy Gilliam, Ellen Goodman, Molly Ivins, Mary McGrory, Judith (Miss Manners) Martin, Joyce Maynard, Anna Quindlen, and Jane Bryant Quinn. Profiles describe how these writers got started, where they get the nerve to tell the world what they think, how they generate ideas for columns, and what it's like to create under the pressure of deadlines. Representative columns illustrate their distinctive voices, and an introductory essay provides a historical overview of women in journalism, including pioneering women columnists Fanny Fern, Dorothy Thompson, and Sylvia Porter. Braden finds that today's women columnists frequently raise issues or use examples unique to their gender. Because they are likely to have a direct personal connection to current social issues such as abortion, child care, or sexual harassment, they are able to provide fresh perspectives on these provocative topics. In doing so, they are helping to define what isworthy of attention in the '90s and to shape public response. A unique addition to the literature on women in journalism, this book will interest general readers as well as students of journalism, literature, American studies, and women's studies. Aspiring writers will find here role models and practical guidance. |
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American Anna Quindlen Aral Sea asked began writing Bombeck Brody Charen child column writing conservative culture Davis editor Erma Bombeck etiquette example father feel Frazier funds funny Georgie Anne Geyer Geyer going Goodman humor husband idea interested issues Ivins says Ivins's journalism journalists Joyce Maynard Judith Martin kids knew laugh lives look magazine male marriage Martin Mary McGrory masturbation Maynard Miss Manners Molly Ivins Mona Charen mother never newspaper column op-ed opinion paper parents Pat Harris Perot person political columnist President Press problem Quindlen Quinn readers reporter response Ross Perot sexual story syndicated columnists talk television tell Texas there's things thought told trying Universal Press Syndicate voice Washington Post week woman women columnists writing a column writing the column wrote York young