Black Women Publishers

by Claude Reed, Jr.

For over 150 years, the Black Press has echoed the concerns of its constituents. Like many of America 's institutions, the Black Press has, traditionaly been male dominated. Although Black women have always excelled as journalists, there have been few who actually owned and published the vehicles for Black communication. However, times have changed and today Black women are playing a greater role in the maintenance and growth of the Black Press.

Giving credence to the prominence of Black women today in publishing is the fact that there are no less than 14 female metropolitan newspaper publishers in America. These women head papers in our major cities ranging from Los Angeles to Chicago and Houston. This point underscores the importance of their role in the dissemination of information about Blacks, which often helps to shape policy in the cities these papers serve.

Although these dedicated women are well-known "movers and shakers" with their respective communities, they rarely receive collective national attention. As a result, National Scene takes this opportunity to highlight the achievements of these ladies.

America's Black female publishers have entered the newspaper business in a number of ways. Some took over the business after the deaths of their husbands. There is one case in which the paper was a family business and a daughter salvaged and pumped new life into the operation. One woman bought a newspaper, while others conceived and started their own. The following tells the story of these 14 women and the newspapers they run. The women are presented in alhabetical order.

After obtaining her journalism degree from the University of Kansas, Lucille Bluford went on to develop an extensive background in the newspaper business. She worked for the Atlanta Daily World before coming to the Kansas City Call as a cub reporter. Ms. Bluford worked her way up to police reporter, then copy editor, city and managing editor to finally becoming editor. Although she assumes the title of editor, she functions in a publisher's capacity overseeing the interest of Mrs. Ada C. Franklin, wife of the deceased founder Chester Franklin.

Throughout her illustrious career, Ms. Bluford has received numerous awards and was on the National Board of the NAACP for 11 years and was a member of the Missouri State Human Rights Commission for 10 years. She is currently a member of the NAACP's Executive Committee and is on the board of United Community Services. When we asked Ms. Bluford about the obstacles she faced being both Black and female in the field of journalism, she related the following anecdote:

"Upon leaving Kansas University, there were no positions for blacks in journalism. No opportunities in TV and magazines like now. Our only opportunity for employment was the Black Press. But not too many obstacles had to be overcome being female. The local papers were not hiring Blacks or females. I filed suit against the University of Missouri in 1940 because I wanted to take a graduate course in journalism. There was a previous suit by Lloyd Gaines who wanted to enter law school at that university. After the courts ordered the State of Missouri to provide equal educational opportunities for Blacks-Gaines disappeared. Based on that, I applied for graduate work at Missouri for journalism and they accepted my credits but turned me down because they said that the Gaines case was not final. It had to go to a higher court. The NAACP filed suit for me and it was in court for several years. Rather than admit me to the University, they established a separate law school for Gaines (who had disappeared) and a separate journalism school for me at Lincoln University, which is still in existence."

Regarding the goals she has set for the Kansas City Call, Lucille Bluford conveys the following:

"Black newspapers are crusaders for bringing about justice to this country. I would like to see the Kansas City Call become a general newspaper, but until that time comes about, we will continue to advocate Black justice. I would like to see the newspaper more financially independent by getting a fair share of the advertising dollar."

Mildred Brown founded the Omaha Star 43 years ago and still serves as its editor-publisher. Owning the including more than 75 from business, civic and only Black newspaper in the State of Nebraska she has won many awards for being in the vanguard in government organization.

Since taking control of Columbus Times, Ophelia DeVore the struggle for equal opportunity. Mitchell has been instrumental in her She is very proud of an award she paper's garnering many citations received from Offutt Air Force Base and accolades. The source of her

in 1967 for securing more positions ceaseless energy and commitment for minorities than any other enter- is stated in Ophelia DeVore's philosophy.

Mrs. Brown has been educated at She explains, "I have always had Miles and Morningside College, the the feeling that people and situa-

University of Nebraska and Drake tions have much more of beauty,

University. Because the Nebraska brightness and the potential for ful-

Black Consumer is generally eco- fillment and joy than we tend to see.

nomically sound, so is the Omaha I've wanted to bring out all of these

Star. Mrs. Brown's paper is consid- positive hidden qualities in my own

ered a vitally important voice for life and in the lives of others."

.Blacks in her state.

Ophelia DeVore Mitchell has been called one of Black America's truly great institutions. Before her involvement with the Columbus Times, she

was well-known and established as THE expert on beauty and poise for

young, aspiring Blacks. Through the doors of her world-famous charm

school have come such personalities as Diahann Carroll, Cicely Ty-

son, Denise Nichols and Gail Fisher. Mrs. DeVore Mithcell has been a

pioneer in the Black cosmetics and modeling industries as well as being

involved with Black newspapers since 1954. She worked with papers

that include the Pittsburgh Courier and the Houston Forward Times be-

fore marrying the late Vernon Mitchell, publisher of the Columbus

Times.

After Mr. Mitchell's death 11 years ago, Ophelia has divided her time

between New York and Columbus. The Times is managed, in Mrs.

DeVore Mitchell's absence, by her daughter Carol Gerdes. However,

as owner-publisher, Mrs. DeVore Mitchell oversees all vital opera-

tions. A multi-faceted woman, Ophelia has attended New York University

Mrs. Edmonds grew up with The Carolina Times in Durham, North Carolina's oldest Black weekly newspaper. The Times was founded by her father Louis E. Austin in 1922. But she never understood just how much the struggling weekly newspaper was a part of her life until it faced certain death following a destructive fire in January 1979.

For years, the paper had been known in Durham as a strong, unafraid editorial voice for the Black community, true to its slogan "The, Truth Unbridled". But as a business the paper also had a reputation as a struggling enterprise forever teetering on the brink of bankruptcy. And if the usual business problems that plague Black publications were not enough, urban renewal destroyed Haytag, Durham's Black economic community and the paper's base. But true to its credo The Carolina Times was one of only three businesses in the area that stood up to the downtown power and refused to be moved from Haytag, insisting that the community be redeveloped as local government leaders had promised.

But then, early on Sunday January 7, 1979, the roaring flames of a fire of "undetermined origin" destroyed about 90% of the paper's equipment, files and other resources, totally gutting the building. Almost everyone in Durham concluded that The Carolina Times was dead, but they didn't count on Mrs. Edmonds' commitment.

"I thought about a lot of things and I considered the fire and the job it would take to revive the paper," said Mrs. Edmonds who had taken over the publication full time in 1975 following her father's death in 1971. "But more than anything else, I thought about my parents' struggle and the fact that this paper was their lives and a living monument to their commitment to Black people." And so Mrs. Edmonds, her son Kenneth, who is now the paper's General Manager, and her husband Woodrow pushed up their sleeves, rummaged through the ashes and literally breathed life into the smoldering ruins.

Looking back over those three years as well as an eight-year period from 1954 to 1962 when she was managing editor, Mrs. Edmonds concludes, "This is where I belong despite the long hours and headaches and everything else, this is my heritage." A Durham lady who holds both undergraduate and graduate degrees from North Carolina Central University in Durham and who has done post-graduate work in Chapel Hill's University of North Carolina, Mrs. Edmonds considered the obstacles she has faced as being endemic to almost any business.

"I do not see anything that has happened to us solely because this is a Black business or because I am a woman. Rather, I see our obstacles as those anyone will run into if one chooses to be independent, hard hitting and unafraid."

Despite the problems of the past, many of which are still lingering, Mrs. Edmonds, 54, assesses the paper's future as "bright". She says, "The issue with us as with almost every small business in this country is survival. We must commit ourselves to putting out a superior product each week because that's what we promised our readers, and we must aggressively pursue those advertising dollars that are not being cut back. We must never be content to be on the cut back side of the ledger." She also warns that the publishing business is fraught with many hardships and headaches and that before one chooses it as a career, one should be totally committed to the idea.

"A woman or anyone else aspiring to a career in this business must first decide if they are committed to it or if they are turned on by the socalled 'glamour'," Mrs. Edmonds said, "and if they get into it, they must be willing to be tough and also be willing to stand alone many times and pay whatever prices must be paid for their commitment."

Mrs. Dickie Foster has been the executive editor of the Dallas Post Tribune since 1970. She does not assume the title of publisher although she functions in that capacity along with two other board members of the publication. Prior to this present position, she worked as managing editor for 4 years.

When Mrs. Foster went to work at the Dallas Post Tribune, it was a purely local newspaper which fluctuated in size from a tabloid to a fullsize newspaper. Advertising was restricted to the local advertisers and circulation, for the most part, was limited to street sales.

Within three years, the circulation was expanded to an impressive national audience; advertising was national in scope and importance; the newspaper was a standard size, and offices were moved to a larger site in the expanding Oak Cliff area of Dallas.

Mrs. Foster has been influential in shaping the careers of high school and college journalists for many years. In 1965, she organized and founded the Dallas-Ft. Worth Chapter of the National Association of Media Women, Inc.

Since 1975, she has participated in the journalism internship programs of area colleges by providing on-the-job experience and scholarships for interns.

She employs journalism students part time during vacation periods and trains them in writing, editing, advertising and photography.

Mrs. Foste~ began her career in journalism in 1949 while she was the independent owner and operator of a record shop. She was the first Black woman in Dallas to narrate a radio talk show and she also served as a columnist for the Kansas City Call and the Pittsburgh Courier until 1952. She was a columnist for the Dallas Star Post, 1953-1954.

She was associate editor of the Brown Texan Magazine ( 1963) in Ft. Worth, and served as a public relations specialist for Bishop College during its period of transition from a declining Baptist school in Marshall to a progressive, modern college in Dallas. She still gives coverage to college events and sends professional news teams to the campus upon request.

Mrs. Foster has received life memberships in the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (1971), the National Council of Negro Women (1975), and the Maria Morgan Branch YWCA.

She founded the Metropolitan Business and Professional Women's Club, Inc. in 1962 and she is also the founder of the Epsilon Chapter, Eta Phi Beta Sorority and received a national recognition certificate from the organization in 1971.

Mrs. Foster has received an impressive list of awards including the Harriet Tubman and Matrix Awards. No story about Black females in publishing could be complete without recognizing the unyielding contributions of Dickie Foster-a dedicated pioneer with a purpose.

Mary Kyle serves as editor-publisher of this Minneapolis-based paper, which she purchased in 1967. She is also president of the Minnesota Sentinel Publishing Co.-the Courier's parent company. Before starting the Twin Cities Courier, Mrs. Kyle had acquired over 15 years of journalism experience. In addition, from 1969-1979 she was an editorial commentator for KMSP-TV and a talk show host for WLOL radio.

A native of St. Paul, Minnesota, Mrs. Kyle attended the University of Minnesota, Palmer Institute and Croydon Institute of Writing. She is listed in numerous "Who's Who's" and is the recipient of a long list of

From Top To Bottom: Dickie Foster Mary 1. Kyle and Dorothy Leavell.

awards and citations.

When asked what obstacles she had to overcome in starting her paper, she relates the following:

"Being a female entering the business world was much more of an obstacle than my race. Having established an excellent personal credit rating before acquiring the Twin Cities Courier made it comparatively easy to get a modest loan in those early years. But being accepted as a PERSON with business acumen by businessmen was another story. Men were polite but did not really believe a woman could manage a business with the same skills and expertise. In the sixties, being Black was an asset; PROVING a Black and a female could perform in the corporate structure was the biggest obstacle when addressing ad agencies. Producing the best possible weekly newspaper consistently, and earning an excellent credit rating for the business by judicious management, finally conquered the barriers, so much so that now the Courier is rated in Dun & Bradstreet for our credit record."

Not only has Mrs. Kyle gained a top financial rating, but a historic rating as well. In 1976 the front pages of the Twin Cities Courier were deposited in the Bicentennial Time Capsule of Minnesota as the state's sole Black Press representative.

Her goal for the Courier is to continue to tell the full story of the Black experience in depth and focus that cannot be achieved elsewhere.

For those interested in a publishing career, Mrs. Kyle advised that the best possible journalistic background is a must.

"To be successful in any area," she relates, "one must be prepared in many educational spheres, well read, and filled with self-confidence that success can be attained in the face of many extremes. Black women can do anything they set their minds to, given proper training and education in their chosen fields of endeavor. "

"Being a woman in business, particularly a Black woman, can be rewarding or unrewarding. But it's all in your attitude and your faith in yourself." Speaking is Gorothy R. Leavell, publisher of two successful weekly newspapers-the Gary (Ind.) and Chicago (111.) Crusader Newspapers.

She ponders the question about the role of the Black woman in business today and can't help but reflect on her own past experiences. "Today's young Black woman has a lot on the ball. She is better educated, well travelled and better versed in the workings of the corporate world," she said. "I can't see why a sharp black woman wouldn't excel in the field of publishing."

Leavell stresses the importance of self-worth and perseverance. Why so adamant about having faith in one self? Probably because it was not too very long ago that she was caught in the grips of perplexity and had to learn about the outside world fast and hard. She was not always the successful young Black businesswoman who commands two newspapers in two states with two different states. She travelled the rocky road of accomplishment and found her reward through hard work and persistency.

While still at a young age, Leavell was suddenly thrust into an additional role of tremendous responsibility. She faced the awesome decision of which crossroad in life to take. Like other young people, Leavell had ambitions of completing college and perhaps teaching, but the death of her husband, Balm L. Leavell, Jr., changed those plans. Married in 1964, her husband who was co-founder and publisher-editor of the newspapers, passed on in 1968 forcing her into the awesome position of total responsibility for a growing business and the rearing of two small children. Her dreams of finishing college had to be deferred to the back burners of life.

Prior to the death of her husband, she had worked as business manager for the enterprise-a fact which lessened the trauma of transition. Once at the helm, she took the leadership reins and proceeded to master the role forced upon her. However, all was not smooth sailing. There were many obstacles and setbacks for the young, bright, energetic woman who dared to trespass in the big business world of man.

"I found that some men tended to dismiss a woman's opinions and suggestions when trying to do business with them. Meetings sometimes turned out to be semi-comic conversations-that is until you proved yourself," Leavell added. "The only way to prove yourself is to have confidence in what you are doing and do better than your best in any situation by giving more than 100%.

"To overcome many obstacles I encountered, I continued my formal education wherever it was possible but I developed a strict program of self-education. I read everything in sight and sought counsel from Qlder, more experienced people in the newspaper business," Leavell explained. "When my husband died I had completed high school and about one and a half years of college. I knew that my priorities had to change at least until my children were older."

Learning and maturity came swiftly and soon Leavell began to make changes in her business operations. Modern procedures were instituted-resulting in an effective, efflciently operated business. As the newspapers became successful, Leavell stabilized her holdings by purchasing the buildings which housed the two newspapers.

Actively involved in many civic and human service organizations, she holds positions of responsibility in the Chicago Black Publishers Association, Holy Name of Mary School Board, DuSable Museum of AfroAmerican History, Amalgamated Publishers, Inc., the Chicago Friends of Music and the National Newspaper Publishers' Association (NNPA) .

"Often I am asked by young Black ladies if they should go into the publishing business. To which I say, Yes, yes, yes, by all means. The media needs more Blacks in the field to balance the scale of truth and justice," she said. "Blacks are woefully underrepresented when it comes to telling the Black side of the story. White publications aren't the least concerned about the image of Blacks when printing about us. Often Blacks are portrayed in the most dismal light possible, therefore, black publications direly need to balance the picture.

"Young women must believe that there is always room at the top when you are good.... So aim your sights on the moon and reach for it," Leavell encourages.

Marjorie Parham, publisher of the Cincinnati Herald (Ohio) came to journalism because she felt the need for a career change. After fifteen years as a Federal government employee she felt restricted, overprotected and a victim of the bureaucracy that grinds individuals into a mere cog of a piece of intricate machinery. Therefore, she quit her job and became owner and publisher of the Dayton Tribune, a Black weekly newspaper. During the next three years, she learned that black newspapers needed style, organization and standard business principles to operate successfully.

In 1963 she became owner and publisher of the Cincinnati Herald, a floundering local weekly which was on the very edge of bankruptcy. The skills she developed in Dayton and with the Federal government, eighteen-hour, seven-day workweeks, and the aid of sympathetic businessmen enabled her to save the newspaper and bring it to its present status of a respected journal, considered the the voice of Black Cincinnati.

Educationally, Mrs. Parham is a product of Wilberforce University, the University of Cincinnati (where she serves on the Board of Trustees), and the Chase School of Business.

In the field of publishing, she is most proud that her newspaper is totally independent, owns the building in which it is housed, has a respected editorial policy that deemphasizes crime and has never missed an issue of publication or staff payroll. Outside of the publishing field Mrs. Parham is a community activist and opinion molder. Her advice and participation on community political and civic problems is sought out, and this participation is reflected by her past and present activities.

She is currently a member of the Board of Trustees, University of Cincinnati, and Treasurer of the National Newspaper Publishers' Association. While admittedly winding down her hectic career activities she has also served as a board member of a host of organizations.

Initially, Parham's publishing career was faced with the challenge of being a Black female trying to manage what was felt to be a man's turf. Determination, no-nonsense approaches, a keen understanding of business, and a willingness to personally seek out advertising and other resources helped her overcome the obstacles of revitalizing and building a business.

While Parham eschews goal setting as a viable in the mercurial world of Black journalism she realizes that objectives stimulate progress. In that respect she embraces some of the new technology in the publishing industry so that training and jobs can be created; plus the long-time dream of actually printing her own paper rather than "jobbing" it out. This kind of total independence, she believes, would be protection against the ravages of an uncertain economy.

Marjorie Parham is not actively involved in the Women's Liberation movement, but she understands the issues and nuances and has already successfully challenged the so-called chauvinistic male- oriented field of publishing and won. She believes that there are myriad opportunities for young Black females who are well educated, personable and have a strong desire for success, not only in publishing but any endeavor they may choose. She warns, however, that it takes hard work, imagination, creativity, and a willingness to share and delegate power to others who have shown ability.

In the field of publishing, she sees the opportunities escalating and points out the increase in Black female journalists, publishers of newspapers and magazines, and other media types over the last

Marjorie Parham

Catherine Pugh

Catherine Pugh is among the new breed of female publishers who came into the field with a solid and diverse background. She graduated with a Master's Degree in Business Administration from Morgan State University in 1973. She has worked for Equitable Trust Bank, the Council for Business Opportunities (assisting Blacks in starting their own businesses), the Mayor of Baltimore's Office for 31/2 years and as an Assistant Professor of Business and Economics at Morgan State. Ms. Pugh has also hosted local educational TV programs and anchored news broadcas~ for station WEAA.

Her venture into publishing is a direct result of a marketing class she taught at Morgan.

"In 1978 while teaching a marketing class at Morgan State, I had my class conduct a survey of about 2,000 Blacks in the city to find out what Black publications they were reading", she relates. "The results showed that 72% of the people surveyed were not reading any major Black publication which lead me to believe that there was a need for another publication in this particular city because we only had one major Black publication which came out ~twice a week. The data also indicated that about 64% of the people who were surveyed were not happy with the kind of information that was covered by the local Black press. I took the outline material that was collected and analyzed it to determine if there was a formula that could be derived from the information. That, to me. would be the beginning of a publication that could receive wide support from the Black communities. That was basically why I started the publication. It was a result of the surveys and analyzing the market."

Since the paper's inception 4 years ago, it has won over 11 community awards, most recently getting the HUB Achievement Award, which relates to growth and development of Black businesses in the area.

When asked what opportunities she sees for Black women in publishing, Ms. Pugh said that she didn't look at it from that perspective, but more from a business angle. She oflers the following explanation.

"I think that the question that has to be raised for Black newspapers in general is, What impact is the technology of today going to have on Black newspapers?, and what impact is the closing of the afternoon newspapers going to have on the publishing of Black newspapers? In 1978, Advertising Age said that many afternoon newspapers would close because of the trends that are impacting on the media today. But ethnic-oriented newspapers have a chance of surviving simply because when advertisers look to market, they are going to have to know just who they are focusing on. Black newspapers have an identified market, so they have a chance for survival, but the problem is that they have to link more, identify more and be a part of the evergrowing and changing Black media."

Mrs. Lancie M. Thomas is a native of Beatrice, Monroe County, Alabama, and product of the Monroe County Training School, Tuskegee

Lancie M. Thomas

Institute and Alabama State University.

She taught school in the Tuscaloosa County School System, and gave it up to help her husband, the late Frank P. Thomas, build the Alabama Citizen in Tuscaloosa and Selma and later the Mobile Beacon (newspapers). She has worked in all departments of the paper. During her husband's life time she served as vice-president, secretary-treasurer ot the Mobile Beacon and Alabama Citizen.

Mrs. Thomas has worked all through Alabama in Voters Registration since the 40's to get people qualified to vote. This has played an important role in the number of Blacks elected to offlce today and Blacks receiving high appointments in government from Alabama.

She is a member of numerous organizations including board membership on the NAACP, the Alabama State Coordinating Committee for Registration and Voting, and the National Council of Negro Women.

Among her awards received are: Award of Loyalty to Her Profession from the National Council of Negro Women in 1974; the National Publishers 1976 Carl Murphy Merit Award for Best Community Service in 1976; Robert S. Abbott Merit Award for best Editorials, 1978; and the Merit Award for Best Editorials and Best Community Service from the Alabama Press Association in 1977.

She is presently Publisher-Editor of the Alabama Citizen and Mobile Beacon.

Mrs. Ruth Washington, a native Kansan, was educated at the Emily Griffln School in Denver, Colorado, and Metropolitan Trade School in Los Angeles. She later served an extended apprenticeship as a photographer and retoucher after moving to Los Angeles with her late husband, Col. Leon H. Washington Jr., founder and late publisher of the Los Angeles Sentinel.

In 1948, her husband suffered a severe stroke which left him almost totally incapacitated. It was at this point that she was literally forced to forego her =successful photographic studio and come into the newspaper publishing business.

There were very few women in the field at the time, and practically no Black women. Not having an extensive background, she was faced with a monumental decision. Should she sell the paper and spend the next few years taking care of her invalid husband, or should she attempt to keep the newspaper functioning and at the same time try to take care of him.

She chose to take on the harder chore. She kept the newspaper and she took care of her husband at the same time.

Not having a basic knowledge of the newspaper industry, it was no easy task. But she managed to surround herself with knowledgeable people who knew all that she did not.

Recognizing the pitfalls of being both Black and a female, Mrs. Washington learned how to use her gentleness and tenacity to the fullest extent. Although she was not a screamer, she was in fact insistent on those things she knew would work.

She instituted a new concept in classified advertising, encouraging the everyday readers to avail themselves of the services of the Los Angeles Sentinel. She did the same thing with the local real estate brokers. This resulted in the Los Angeles Sentinel having one of the most successful classified and real estate sections in the history of Black newspapers.

Currently her goals are to make the Los Angeles Sentinel the most widely read and most highly respected weekly newspaper in the United States.

To those young Black women who would aspire to careers in the field of publishing, she says, "This is not an easy job. It requires perseverance and a willingness to work long hard hours, sometimes with no immediate rewards.

"But if you are willing to put forth the effort, it can be one of the most rewarding jobs in the world. It might mean not going to a party or a dance, and working instead. But when all is said and done and your publication becomes a reflection of you, you can have something to be proud of.

Ruth Washington

"When I first began this business, I didn't know much about publishing. But I listened and I learned. Some of the lessons I had to learn the hard way, but now my education is paying off and I look back on the past 34 years and I realize how far I have come," she explains. She continues, "Indeed, there are opportunities for Black women in this field, but the demands are great and sometimes the rewards are meager. But I had no choice in the matter. My husband became ill and I knew what I had to do. He has since passed on and I am certain he would be proud to see where the Sentinel has come to in these 34 years. "

Patricia R. Thomas, Publisher of the Milwaukee Community Journal, is a career woman, wife of Robert J. Thomas and mother of two sons. Being the oldest of five children, Mrs. Thomas was groomed early to accept responsibility and attempt to master new challenges.

Mrs. Thomas received her B.S. degree from Southern Illinois University in elementary education and her M.S. degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in educational administration. She taught elementary grades in the Milwaukee Public School system for five years before going into the publishing business by way of the Soul City Shopper, in 1967 .

Printer's ink is said to infiltrate newspaper people's blood and this adage appears true as Mrs. Thomas has been involved with newspapers since her 1967 initiation. Other publications she has worked with have been the Greater Milwaukee Star and the Milwaukee Star Times, both Black weeklies, now defunct in the City of Milwaukee.

Pat's portfolio in newspapers runs the gamut of secretary, receptionist, bookkeeper, advertising sales, advertising director, co-publisher and presently publisher. She has tinkered with writing, though on an infrequent basis. Present responsibility lies in the area of administration of a staff of fourteen, advertising sales and editorial focus. Coupled with her involvement with the newspaper, she is Director of Community Pride Expo, celebrating its eighth anniversary. Expo is held at M.E.C.C.A. and brings into one facility business, schools, religious groups, civic groups, culture, art and government for exhibition, entertainment and educational exchange. Over 240,000 people have attended Expo since its inception.

Mrs. Thomas has been the recipient of numerous community awards, and has been written up in the Milwaukee Journal, Post Newspapers, Black Excellence Magazine and Echo Magazine. She has participated on several boards and has membership in many organizations. She was selected one of Milwaukee's Black leaders in the Nate Edwards Traveling Exhibit which has appeared at the First Wisconsin National Banks, Marshall & Isley Bank and Milwaukee Area Technical College.

Pat Thomas views her present role as that of a facilitator. Through the newspaper, she hopes to bring increased awareness and appreciation of the Black community and its sameness. The newspaper, her community involvements and general philosophy about people are primary in her never-ending challenge to bring about understanding through communication.

The Milwaukee Community Journal was the recipient of two secondplace awards in 1978 by the National Newspaper Publishers' Association, the first year that the Community Journal had participated.

Regarding advice to young Black Women who aspire to enter the publishing business, Pat offers this advice:

"In looking at what is beginning to happen in the media, and especially Cable TV, because that is a brand new industry that is going to have far-reaching ramifications, I think young women who are looking at media should look at many different kinds of media. The more that you know about each of them, the better you can know how they can affect you, and the better you can protect your own primary base. We're reaching a point where we have to look further than our noses to understand what is happening in the total industry."

Lenora Carter Woodard came into the publishing business after moving from her hometown of Corrigan, Texas and coming to Houston. Her sister-in-law helped Carter Woodard get a typesetting job at the Houston Forward Times. She also knew the fundamentals of layout and mark-up and was soon promoted to receptionist, then to executive secretary to Julius Carter-the paper's founder and publisher. Lenora Carter Woodard subsequently became the newspaper's advertising director and along the way she and Julius Carter fell in love and married.

For a number of years this husband and wife team ran this paper successfully gaining nation-wide respect. As these two worked together, Julius Carter shifted more business responsibilities to his wife. In 1971, however, Julius Carter met an untimely death resulting from a heart attack. Suddenly, Lenora was thrust into the publishing arena without the help and wisdom of her late husband .

"People said that the Forward Times wouldn't last six months," she reflects. 'Then after we survived that period it was predicted that we would close in a year." With the aid of Hiram . Dotson, Ernest Norris and Varee Shields, Lenora was able to continue publishing and her paper never faltered from its position as one of America's premier Black newspapers. Her sister, Henrietta Smith, was also instrumental in the steady growth of the paper and is considered Mrs. Carter Woodard's "right and left hand".

Lenora Carter Woodard, a former student at Arizona State University, has been blessed with many awards both national and local. She is in "Who's Who of American Women" and "Personalities of the South" to name but a few of her accomplishments. She has also served as a National Newspaper Publishers' Association secretary and is presently a board member.

Lenora Carter Woodard

Jane Woods

A native of St. Louis, Jane Woods was another woman who assumed the responsibilities of a newspaper after the death of her husband, Howard Woods-the paper's founder. Undaunted, Jane Woods continued in the tradition of her brilliant husband and today the Sentinel continues to grow. It is presently the largest circulated Black weekly in the St. Louis area.

Mrs. Woods admits that she, like many others, also had to deal with males initially treating her as if she were not qualified to be a publisher. But she fought her way to respectability and says that she is optimistic that her paper will become the largest Black paper in the state.

Her advice to those women who are considering entering publishing is "to get a degree in business. Women have to be hard-nosed businesswomen above all other concerns", she feels.

Jane Woods has also received awards that include a Governor's appointment as a Missouri Housing Commissioner. She was named "Distinguished Woman of the Year 1969" and is a board member of organizations which include Amalgamated Publishers', Inc. and the Salvation Army.

The story of these remarkable women is one that National Scene felt was long overdue. In the age of so-called "Reaganomics" it is certainly inspirational to learn of the successes and triumphs of some of America's most powerful women. What they have attained is nothing that is impossible. Success in any field only takes the technical skills and personality that perpetuate success. It is evident from the collective experiences of these female publishers that character, resilience and confidence can and will defeat any adversity.

National Scene sincerely thanks all of the 14 women and their staffs who made this article possible and may the Creator bless you for your willingness to create a bannister of insight for those young women who would follow in your footsteps up the ladder to success.

by Cude Reed, Jr.

For over 150 years, the Black Press has echoed the concerns of its constituents. Like many of America 's institutions, the Black Press has, traditionaly been male dominated. Although Black women have always excelled as journalists, there have been few who actually owned and published the vehicles for Black communication. However, times have changed and today Black women are playing a greater role in the maintenance and growth of the Black Press.

Giving credence to the prominence of Black women today in publishing is the fact that there are no less than 14 female metropolitan newspaper publishers in America. These women head papers in our major cities ranging from Los Angeles to Chicago and Houston. This point underscores the importance of their role in the dissemination of information about Blacks, which often helps to shape policy in the cities these papers serve.

Although these dedicated women are well-known "movers and shakers" with their respective communities, they rarely receive collective national attention. As a result, National Scene takes this opportunity to highlight the achievements of these ladies.

America's Black female publishers have entered the newspaper business in a number of ways. Some took over the business after the deaths of their husbands. There is one case in which the paper was a family business and a daughter salvaged and pumped new life into the operation. One woman bought a newspaper, while others conceived and started their own. The following tells the story of these 14 women and the newspapers they run. The women are presented in alhabetical order.

After obtaining her journalism degree from the University of Kansas, Lucille Bluford went on to develop an extensive background in the newspaper business. She worked for the Atlanta Daily World before coming to the Kansas City Call as a cub reporter. Ms. Bluford worked her way up to police reporter, then copy editor, city and managing editor to finally becoming editor. Although she assumes the title of editor, she functions in a publisher's capacity overseeing the interest of Mrs. Ada C. Franklin, wife of the deceased founder Chester Franklin.

Throughout her illustrious career, Ms. Bluford has received numerous awards and was on the National Board of the NAACP for 11 years and was a member of the Missouri State Human Rights Commission for 10 years. She is currently a member of the NAACP's Executive Committee and is on the board of United Community Services.

When we asked Ms. Bluford about the obstacles she faced being both Black and female in the field of journalism, she related the following anecdote:

"Upon leaving Kansas University, there were no positions for blacks in journalism. No opportunities in TV and magazines like now. Our only opportunity for employment was the Black Press. But not too many obstacles had to be overcome being female. The local papers were not hiring Blacks or females. I filed suit against the University of Missouri in 1940 because I wanted to take a graduate course in journalism. There was a previous suit by Lloyd Gaines who wanted to enter law school at that university. After the courts ordered the State of Missouri to provide equal educational opportunities for Blacks-Gaines disappeared. Based on that, I applied for graduate work at Missouri for journalism and they accepted my credits but turned me down because they said that the Gaines case was not final. It had to go to a higher court. The NAACP filed suit for me and it was in court for several years. Rather than admit me to the University, they established a separate law school for Gaines (who had disappeared) and a separate journalism school for me at Lincoln University, which is still in existence."

Regarding the goals she has set for the Kansas City Call, Lucille Bluford conveys the following:

"Black newspapers are crusaders for bringing about justice to this country. I would like to see the Kansas City Call become a general newspaper, but until that time comes about, we will continue to advocate Black justice. I would like to see the newspaper more financially independent by getting a fair share of the advertising dollar."

(majoring in math), New York City

College (for fashion and copywrit-

ing) and she speaks or reads

French, German and Latin. She is a

Mildred Brown founded the Omaha Star 43 years ago and still serves as its editor -publisher.member of numerous organizations and has received countless awards Owning the including more than 75 from business, civic and only Black newspaper in the State of Nebraska she has won many awards for being in the vanguard in government organization.

Since taking control of Columbus Times, Ophelia DeVore the struggle for equal opportunity.Mitchell has been instrumental in her. She is very proud of an award she paper's garnering many citations received from Offutt Air Force Base and accolades. The source of her in 1967 for securing more positions ceaseless energy and commitment for minorities than any other enter- is stated in Ophelia DeVore's philosophy.

Mrs. Brown has been educated at She explains, "I have always had Miles and Morningside College, the the feeling that people and situa-

University of Nebraska and Drake tions have much more of beauty,

University. Because the Nebraska brightness and the potential for ful-

Black Consumer is generally eco- fillment and joy than we tend to see.

nomically sound, so is the Omaha I've wanted to bring out all of these

Star. Mrs. Brown's paper is consid- positive hidden qualities in my own

ered a vitally important voice for life and in the lives of others."

.Blacks in her state.

Ophelia DeVore Mitchell has been called one of Black America's truly great institutions. Before her involvement with the Columbus Times, she was well-known and established as THE expert on beauty and poise for young, aspiring Blacks. Through the doors of her world-famous charm school have come such personalities as Diahann Carroll, Cicely Tyson, Denise Nichols and Gail Fisher. Mrs. DeVore Mithcell has been a pioneer in the Black cosmetics and modeling industries as well as being involved with Black newspapers since 1954. She worked with papers that include the Pittsburgh Courier and the Houston Forward Times before marrying the late Vernon Mitchell, publisher of the Columbus Times.After Mr. Mitchell's death 11 years ago, Ophelia has divided her time between New York and Columbus. The Times is managed, in Mrs. DeVore Mitchell's absence, by her daughter Carol Gerdes. However, as owner-publisher, Mrs. DeVore Mitchell oversees all vital operations. A multi-faceted woman, Ophelia has attended New York University.

Mrs. Edmonds grew up with The Carolina Times in Durham, North Carolina's oldest Black weekly newspaper. The Times was founded by her father Louis E. Austin in 1922. But she never understood just how much the struggling weekly newspaper was a part of her life until it faced certain death following a destructive fire in January 1979.

For years, the paper had been known in Durham as a strong, unafraid editorial voice for the Black community, true to its slogan "The, Truth Unbridled". But as a business the paper also had a reputation as a struggling enterprise forever teetering on the brink of bankruptcy. And if the usual business problems that plague Black publications were not enough, urban renewal destroyed Haytag, Durham's Black economic community and the paper's base. But true to its credo The Carolina Times was one of only three businesses in the area that stood up to the downtown power and refused to be moved from Haytag, insisting that the community be redeveloped as local government leaders had promised.

But then, early on Sunday January 7, 1979, the roaring flames of a fire of "undetermined origin" destroyed about 90% of the paper's equipment, files and other resources, totally gutting the building. Almost everyone in Durham concluded that The Carolina Times was dead, but they didn't count on Mrs. Edmonds' commitment.

"I thought about a lot of things and I considered the fire and the job it would take to revive the paper," said Mrs. Edmonds who had taken over the publication full time in 1975 following her father's death in 1971. "But more than anything else, I thought about my parents' struggle and the fact that this paper was their lives and a living monument to their commitment to Black people." And so Mrs. Edmonds, her son Kenneth, who is now the paper's General Manager, and her husband Woodrow pushed up their sleeves, rummaged through the ashes and literally breathed life into the smoldering ruins.

Looking back over those three years as well as an eight-year period from 1954 to 1962 when she was managing editor, Mrs. Edmonds concludes, "This is where I belong despite the long hours and headaches and everything else, this is my heritage." A Durham lady who holds both undergraduate and graduate degrees from North Carolina Central University in Durham and who has done post-graduate work in Chapel Hill's University of North Carolina, Mrs. Edmonds considered the obstacles she has faced as being endemic to almost any business.

"I do not see anything that has happened to us solely because this is a Black business or because I am a woman. Rather, I see our obstacles as those anyone will run into if one chooses to be independent, hard hitting and unafraid." Despite the problems of the past, many of which are still lingering, Mrs. Edmonds, 54, assesses the paper's future as "bright".

She says, "The issue with us as with almost every small business in this country is survival. We must commit ourselves to putting out a superior product each week because that's what we promised our readers, and we must aggressively pursue those advertising dollars that are not being cut back. We must never be content to be on the cut back side of the ledger."

She also warns that the publishing business is fraught with many hardships and headaches and that before one chooses it as a career, one should be totally committed to the idea.

"A woman or anyone else aspiring to a career in this business must first decide if they are committed to it or if they are turned on by the socalled 'glamour'," Mrs. Edmonds said, "and if they get into it, they must be willing to be tough and also be willing to stand alone many times and pay whatever prices must be paid for their commitment."

Mrs. Dickie Foster has been the executive editor of the Dallas Post Tribune since 1970. She does not assume the title of publisher although she functions in that capacity along with two other board members of the publication. Prior to this present position, she worked as managing editor for 4 years.

When Mrs. Foster went to work at the Dallas Post Tribune, it was a purely local newspaper which fluctuated in size from a tabloid to a fullsize newspaper. Advertising was restricted to the local advertisers and circulation, for the most part, was limited to street sales.

Within three years, the circulation was expanded to an impressive national audience; advertising was national in scope and importance; the newspaper was a standard size, and offices were moved to a larger site in the expanding Oak Cliff area of Dallas. Mrs. Foster has been influential in shaping the careers of high school and college journalists for many years. In 1965, she organized and founded the Dallas-Ft. Worth Chapter of the National Association of Media Women, Inc.

Since 1975, she has participated in the journalism internship programs of area colleges by providing on-the-job experience and scholarships for interns. She employs journalism students part time during vacation periods and trains them in writing, editing, advertising and photography.

Mrs. Foster began her career in journalism in 1949 while she was the independent owner and operator of a record shop. She was the first Black woman in Dallas to narrate a radio talk show and she also served as a columnist for the Kansas City Call and the Pittsburgh Courier until 1952. She was a columnist for the Dallas Star Post, 1953-1954.

She was associate editor of the Brown Texan Magazine ( 1963) in Ft. Worth, and served as a public relations specialist for Bishop College during its period of transition from a declining Baptist school in Marshall to a progressive, modern college in Dallas. She still gives coverage to college events and sends professional news teams to the campus upon request. Mrs. Foster has received life memberships in the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (1971), the National Council of Negro Women (1975), and the Maria Morgan Branch YWCA.

She founded the Metropolitan Business and Professional Women's Club, Inc. in 1962 and she is also the founder of the Epsilon Chapter, Eta Phi Beta Sorority and received a national recognition certificate from the organization in 1971. Mrs. Foster has received an impressive list of awards including the Harriet Tubman and Matrix Awards. No story about Black females in publishing could be complete without recognizing the unyielding contributions of Dickie Foster-a dedicated pioneer with a purpose.

Mary Kyle serves as editor-publisher of this Minneapolis-based paper, which she purchased in 1967. She is also president of the Minnesota Sentinel Publishing Co.-the Courier's parent company. Before starting the Twin Cities Courier, Mrs. Kyle had acquired over 15 years of journalism experience. In addition, from 1969-1979 she was an editorial commentator for KMSP-TV and a talk show host for WLOL radio. A native of St. Paul, Minnesota, Mrs. Kyle attended the University of Minnesota, Palmer Institute and Croydon Institute of Writing. She is listed in numerous "Who's Who's" and is the recipient of a long list of From Top To Bottom: Dickie Foster Mary 1. Kyle and Dorothy Leavell.

awards and citations.

When asked what obstacles she had to overcome in starting her paper, she relates the following:

"Being a female entering the business world was much more of an obstacle than my race. Having established an excellent personal credit rating before acquiring the Twin Cities Courier made it comparatively easy to get a modest loan in those early years. But being accepted as a PERSON with business acumen by businessmen was another story. Men were polite but did not really believe a woman could manage a business with the same skills and expertise. In the sixties, being Black was an asset; PROVING a Black and a female could perform in the corporate structure was the biggest obstacle when addressing ad agencies. Producing the best possible weekly newspaper consistently, and earning an excellent credit rating for the business by judicious management, finally conquered the barriers, so much so that now the Courier is rated in Dun & Bradstreet for our credit record."

Not only has Mrs. Kyle gained a top financial rating, but a historic rating as well. In 1976 the front pages of the Twin Cities Courier were deposited in the Bicentennial Time Capsule of Minnesota as the state's sole Black Press representative.

Her goal for the Courier is to continue to tell the full story of the Black experience in depth and focus that cannot be achieved elsewhere. For those interested in a publishing career, Mrs. Kyle advised that the best possible journalistic background is a must.

"To be successful in any area," she relates, "one must be prepared in many educational spheres, well read, and filled with self-confidence that success can be attained in the face of many extremes. Black women can do anything they set their minds to, given proper training and education in their chosen fields of endeavor. "

"Being a woman in business, particularly a Black woman, can be rewarding or unrewarding. But it's all in your attitude and your faith in yourself." Speaking is Gorothy R. Leavell, publisher of two successful weekly newspapers-the Gary (Ind.) and Chicago (111.) Crusader Newspapers.

She ponders the question about the role of the Black woman in business today and can't help but reflect on her own past experiences. "Today's young Black woman has a lot on the ball. She is better educated, well travelled and better versed in the workings of the corporate world," she said. "I can't see why a sharp black woman wouldn't excel in the field of publishing."

Leavell stresses the importance of self-worth and perseverance. Why so adamant about having faith in one self? Probably because it was not too very long ago that she was caught in the grips of perplexity and had to learn about the outside world fast and hard. She was not always the successful young Black businesswoman who commands two newspapers in two states with two different states. She travelled the rocky road of accomplishment and found her reward through hard work and persistency.

While still at a young age, Leavell was suddenly thrust into an additional role of tremendous responsibility. She faced the awesome decision of which crossroad in life to take. Like other young people, Leavell had ambitions of completing college and perhaps teaching, but the death of her husband, Balm L. Leavell, Jr., changed those plans. Married in 1964, her husband who was co-founder and publisher-editor of the newspapers, passed on in 1968 forcing her into the awesome position of total responsibility for a growing business and the rearing of two small children. Her dreams of finishing college had to be deferred to the back burners of life.

Prior to the death of her husband, she had worked as business manager for the enterprise-a fact which lessened the trauma of transition. Once at the helm, she took the leadership reins and proceeded to master the role forced upon her. However, all was not smooth sailing. There were many obstacles and setbacks for the young, bright, energetic woman who dared to trespass in the big business world of man.

"I found that some men tended to dismiss a woman's opinions and suggestions when trying to do business with them. Meetings sometimes turned out to be semi-comic conversations-that is until you proved yourself," Leavell added. "The only way to prove yourself is to have confidence in what you are doing and do better than your best in any situation by giving more than 100%.

"To overcome many obstacles I encountered, I continued my formal education wherever it was possible but I developed a strict program of self-education. I read everything in sight and sought counsel from Qlder, more experienced people in the newspaper business," Leavell explained. "When my husband died I had completed high school and about one and a half years of college. I knew that my priorities had to change at least until my children were older."

Learning and maturity came swiftly and soon Leavell began to make changes in her business operations. Modern procedures were instituted-resulting in an effective, efflciently operated business. As the newspapers became successful, Leavell stabilized her holdings by purchasing the buildings which housed the two newspapers.

Actively involved in many civic and human service organizations, she holds positions of responsibility in the Chicago Black Publishers Association, Holy Name of Mary School Board, DuSable Museum of AfroAmerican History, Amalgamated Publishers, Inc., the Chicago Friends of Music and the National Newspaper Publishers' Association (NNPA) .

"Often I am asked by young Black ladies if they should go into the publishing business. To which I say, Yes, yes, yes, by all means. The media needs more Blacks in the field to balance the scale of truth and justice," she said. "Blacks are woefully underrepresented when it comes to telling the Black side of the story. White publications aren't the least concerned about the image of Blacks when printing about us. Often Blacks are portrayed in the most dismal light possible, therefore, black publications direly need to balance the picture.

"Young women must believe that there is always room at the top when you are good.... So aim your sights on the moon and reach for it," Leavell encourages.

Marjorie Parham, publisher of the Cincinnati Herald (Ohio) came to journalism because she felt the need for a career change. After fifteen years as a Federal government employee she felt restricted, overprotected and a victim of the bureaucracy that grinds individuals into a mere cog of a piece of intricate machinery. Therefore, she quit her job and became owner and publisher of the Dayton Tribune, a Black weekly newspaper. During the next three years, she learned that black newspapers needed style, organization and standard business principles to operate successfully.

In 1963 she became owner and publisher of the Cincinnati Herald, a floundering local weekly which was on the very edge of bankruptcy. The skills she developed in Dayton and with the Federal government, eighteen-hour, seven-day workweeks, and the aid of sympathetic businessmen enabled her to save the newspaper and bring it to its present status of a respected journal, considered the the voice of Black Cincinnati.

Educationally, Mrs. Parham is a product of Wilberforce University, the University of Cincinnati (where she serves on the Board of Trustees), and the Chase School of Business.

In the field of publishing, she is most proud that her newspaper is totally independent, owns the building in which it is housed, has a respected editorial policy that deemphasizes crime and has never missed an issue of publication or staff payroll. Outside of the publishing field Mrs. Parham is a community activist and opinion molder. Her advice and participation on community political and civic problems is sought out, and this participation is reflected by her past and present activities.

She is currently a member of the Board of Trustees, University of Cincinnati, and Treasurer of the National Newspaper Publishers' Association. While admittedly winding down her hectic career activities she has also served as a board member of a host of organizations.

Initially, Parham's publishing career was faced with the challenge of being a Black female trying to manage what was felt to be a man's turf. Determination, no-nonsense approaches, a keen understanding of business, and a willingness to personally seek out advertising and other resources helped her overcome the obstacles of revitalizing and building a business. While Parham eschews goal setting as a viable in the mercurial world of Black journalism she realizes that objectives stimulate progress. In that respect she embraces some of the new technology in the publishing industry so that training and jobs can be created; plus the long-time dream of actually printing her own paper rather than "jobbing" it out. This kind of total independence, she believes, would be protection against the ravages of an uncertain economy. Marjorie Parham is not actively involved in the Women's Liberation movement, but she understands the issues and nuances and has already successfully challenged the so-called chauvinistic male- oriented field of publishing and won. She believes that there are myriad opportunities for young Black females who are well educated, personable and have a strong desire for success, not only in publishing but any endeavor they may choose. She warns, however, that it takes hard work, imagination, creativity, and a willingness to share and delegate power to others who have shown ability. In the field of publishing, she sees the opportunities escalating and points out the increase in Black female journalists, publishers of newspapers and magazines, and other media types over the last years like Marjorie Parham.

Catherine Pugh

Catherine Pugh is among the new breed of female publishers who came into the field with a solid and diverse background. She graduated with a Master's Degree in Business Administration from Morgan State University in 1973. She has worked for Equitable Trust Bank, the Council for Business Opportunities (assisting Blacks in starting their own businesses), the Mayor of Baltimore's Office for 31/2 years and as an Assistant Professor of Business and Economics at Morgan State. Ms. Pugh has also hosted local educational TV programs and anchored news broadcas~ for station WEAA.

Her venture into publishing is a direct result of a marketing class she taught at Morgan.

"In 1978 while teaching a marketing class at Morgan State, I had my class conduct a survey of about 2,000 Blacks in the city to find out what Black publications they were reading", she relates. "The results showed that 72% of the people surveyed were not reading any major Black publication which lead me to believe that there was a need for another publication in this particular city because we only had one major Black publication which came out ~twice a week. The data also indicated that about 64% of the people who were surveyed were not happy with the kind of information that was covered by the local Black press. I took the outline material that was collected and analyzed it to determine if there was a formula that could be derived from the information. That, to me. would be the beginning of a publication that could receive wide support from the Black communities. That was basically why I started the publication. It was a result of the surveys and analyzing the market."

Since the paper's inception 4 years ago, it has won over 11 community awards, most recently getting the HUB Achievement Award, which relates to growth and development of Black businesses in the area.

When asked what opportunities she sees for Black women in publishing, Ms. Pugh said that she didn't look at it from that perspective, but more from a business angle. She oflers the following explanation.

"I think that the question that has to be raised for Black newspapers in general is, What impact is the technology of today going to have on Black newspapers?, and what impact is the closing of the afternoon newspapers going to have on the publishing of Black newspapers? In 1978, Advertising Age said that many afternoon newspapers would close because of the trends that are impacting on the media today. But ethnic-oriented newspapers have a chance of surviving simply because when advertisers look to market, they are going to have to know just who they are focusing on. Black newspapers have an identified market, so they have a chance for survival, but the problem is that they have to link more, identify more and be a part of the evergrowing and changing Black media."

Mrs. Lancie M. Thomas is a native of Beatrice, Monroe County, Alabama, and product of the Monroe County Training School, Tuskegee.

Lancie M. Thomas - Institute and Alabama State University.

She taught school in the Tuscaloosa County School System, and gave it up to help her husband, the late Frank P. Thomas, build the Alabama Citizen in Tuscaloosa and Selma and later the Mobile Beacon (newspapers). She has worked in all departments of the paper. During her husband's life time she served as vice-president, secretary-treasurer ot the Mobile Beacon and Alabama Citizen.

Mrs. Thomas has worked all through Alabama in Voters Registration since the 40's to get people qualified to vote. This has played an important role in the number of Blacks elected to offlce today and Blacks receiving high appointments in government from Alabama.

She is a member of numerous organizations including board membership on the NAACP, the Alabama State Coordinating Committee for Registration and Voting, and the National Council of Negro Women.

Among her awards received are: Award of Loyalty to Her Profession from the National Council of Negro Women in 1974; the National Publishers 1976 Carl Murphy Merit Award for Best Community Service in 1976; Robert S. Abbott Merit Award for best Editorials, 1978; and the Merit Award for Best Editorials and Best Community Service from the Alabama Press Association in 1 977. She is presently Publisher-Editor of the Alabama Citizen and Mobile Beacon.

Mrs. Ruth Washington, a native Kansan, was educated at the Emily Griffln School in Denver, Colorado, and Metropolitan Trade School in Los Angeles. She later served an extended apprenticeship as a photographer and retoucher after moving to Los Angeles with her late husband, Col. Leon H. Washington Jr., founder and late publisher of the Los Angeles Sentinel.

In 1948, her husband suffered a severe stroke which left him almost totally incapacitated. It was at this point that she was literally forced to forego her successful photographic studio and come into the newspaper publishing business.There were very few women in the field at the time, and practically no Black women. Not having an extensive background, she was faced with a monumental decision. Should she sell the paper and spend the next few years taking care of her invalid husband, or should she attempt to keep the newspaper functioning and at the same time try to take care of him. She chose to take on the harder chore. She kept the newspaper and she took care of her husband at the same time.

Not having a basic knowledge of the newspaper industry, it was no easy task. But she managed to surround herself with knowledgeable people who knew all that she did not. Recognizing the pitfalls of being both Black and a female, Mrs. Washington learned how to use her gentleness and tenacity to the fullest extent. Although she was not a screamer, she was in fact insistent on those things she knew would work. She instituted a new concept in classified advertising, encouraging the everyday readers to avail themselves of the services of the Los Angeles Sentinel. She did the same thing with the local real estate brokers. This resulted in the Los Angeles Sentinel having one of the most successful classified and real estate sections in the history of Black newspapers. Currently her goals are to make the Los Angeles Sentinel the most widely read and most highly respected weekly newspaper in the United States.To those young Black women who would aspire to careers in the field of publishing, she says, "This is not an easy job. It requires perseverance and a willingness to work long hard hours, sometimes with no immediate rewards.

"But if you are willing to put forth the effort, it can be one of the most rewarding jobs in the world. It might mean not going to a party or a dance, and working instead. But when all is said and done and your publication becomes a reflection of you, you can have something to be proud of.

Ruth Washington

"When I first began this business, I didn't know much about publishing. But I listened and I learned. Some of the lessons I had to learn the hard way, but now my education is paying off and I look back on the past 34 years and I realize how far I have come," she explains.

She continues, "Indeed, there are opportunities for Black women in this field, but the demands are great and sometimes the rewards are meager. But I had no choice in the matter. My husband became ill and I knew what I had to do. He has since passed on and I am certain he would be proud to see where the Sentinel has come to in these 34 years. "

Patricia R. Thomas, Publisher of the Milwaukee Community Journal, is a career woman, wife of Robert J. Thomas and mother of two sons. Being the oldest of five children, Mrs. Thomas was groomed early to accept responsibility and attempt to master new challenges. Mrs. Thomas received her B.S. degree from Southern Illinois University in elementary education and her M.S. degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in educational administration. She taught elementary grades in the Milwaukee Public School system for five years before going into the publishing business by way of the Soul City Shopper, in 1967.

Printer's ink is said to infiltrate newspaper people's blood and this adage appears true as Mrs. Thomas has been involved with newspapers since her 1967 initiation. Other publications she has worked with have been the Greater Milwaukee Star and the Milwaukee Star Times, both Black weeklies, now defunct in the City of Milwaukee.

Pat's portfolio in newspapers runs the gamut of secretary, receptionist, bookkeeper, advertising sales, advertising director, co-publisher and presently publisher. She has tinkered with writing, though on an infrequent basis. Present responsibility lies in the area of administration of a staff of fourteen, advertising sales and editorial focus. Coupled with her involvement with the newspaper, she is Director of Community Pride Expo, celebrating its eighth anniversary. Expo is held at M.E.C.C.A. and brings into one facility business, schools, religious groups, civic groups, culture, art and government for exhibition, entertainment and educational exchange. Over 240,000 people have attended Expo since its inception.

Mrs. Thomas has been the recipient of numerous community awards, and has been written up in the Milwaukee Journal, Post Newspapers, Black Excellence Magazine and Echo Magazine. She has participated on several boards and has membership in many organizations. She was selected one of Milwaukee's Black leaders in the Nate Edwards Traveling Exhibit which has appeared at the First Wisconsin National Banks, Marshall & Isley Bank and Milwaukee Area Technical College.

Pat Thomas views her present role as that of a facilitator. Through the newspaper, she hopes to bring increased awareness and appreciation of the Black community and its sameness. The newspaper, her community involvements and general philosophy about people are primary in her never-ending challenge to bring about understanding through communication.

The Milwaukee Community Journal was the recipient of two secondplace awards in 1978 by the National Newspaper Publishers' Association, the first year that the Community Journal had participated.

Regarding advice to young Black Women who aspire to enter the publishing business, Pat offers this advice: "In looking at what is beginning to happen in the media, and especially Cable TV, because that is a brand new industry that is going to have far-reaching ramifications, I think young women who are looking at media should look at many different kinds of media. The more that you know about each of them, the better you can know how they can affect you, and the better you can protect your own primary base. We're reaching a point where we have to look further than our noses to understand what is happening in the total industry

."

Lenora Carter Woodard came into the publishing business after moving from her hometown of Corrigan, Texas and coming to Houston. Her sister-in-law helped Carter Woodard get a typesetting job at the Houston Forward Times. She also knew the fundamentals of layout and mark-up and was soon promoted to receptionist, then to executive secretary to Julius Carter-the paper's founder and publisher. Lenora Carter Woodard subsequently became the newspaper's advertising director and along the way she and Julius Carter fell in love and married.

For a number of years this husband and wife team ran this paper successfully gaining nation-wide respect. As these two worked together, Julius Carter shifted more business responsibilities to his wife. In 1971, however, Julius Carter met an untimely death resulting from a heart attack. Suddenly, Lenora was thrust into the publishing arena without the help and wisdom of her late husband .

"People said that the Forward Times wouldn't last six months."

Lenora Carter Woodard

she reflects. 'Then after we survived that period it was predicted that we would close in a year."

With the aid of Hiram . Dotson, Ernest Norris and Varee Shields, Lenora was able to continue publishing and her paper never faltered from its position as one of America's premier Black newspapers.

Her sister, Henrietta Smith, was also instrumental in the steady growth of the paper and is considered Mrs. Carter Woodard's "right and left hand".

Lenora Carter Woodard, a former student at Arizona State University, has been blessed with many awards both national and local. She is in "Who's Who of American Women" and "Personalities of the South" to name but a few of her accomplishments. She has also served as a National Newspaper Publishers' Association secretary and is presently a board member.

A native of St. Louis, Jane Woods was another woman who assumed the responsibilities of a newspaper after the death of her husband, Howard Woods-the paper's founder. Undaunted, Jane Woods continued in the tradition of her brilliant husband and today the Sentinel continues to grow. It is presently the largest circulated Black weekly in the St. Louis area.

Mrs. Woods admits that she, like many others, also had to deal with males initially treating her as if she were not qualified to be a publisher. But she fought her way to respectability and says that she is optimistic that her paper will become the largest Black paper in the state.

Her advice to those women who are considering entering publishing is "to get a degree in business. Women have to be hard-nosed businesswomen above all other concerns", she feels.

Jane Woods has also received awards that include a Governor's appointment as a Missouri Housing Commissioner. She was named "Distinguished Woman of the Year 1969" and is a board member of organizations which include Amalgamated Publishers', Inc. and the Salvation Army.

The story of these remarkable women is one that National Scene felt was long overdue. In the age of so-called "Reaganomics" it is certainly inspirational to learn of the successes and triumphs of some of America's most powerful women. What they have attained is nothing that is impossible. Success in any field only takes the technical skills and personality that perpetuate success. It is evident from the collective experiences of these female publishers that character, resilience and confidence can and will defeat any adversity.

National Scene sincerely thanks all of the 14 women and their staffs who made this article possible and may the Creator bless you for your willingness to create a bannister of insight for those young women who would follow in your footsteps up the ladder to success.