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Trailblazer
Trailblazer: A Pioneering Journalist's Fight to Make the Media Look More Like America | Dorothy Butler Gilliam
Dorothy Butler Gilliam, whose 50-year-career as a journalist put her in the forefront of the fight for social justice, offers a comprehensive view of racial relations and the media in the U.S. Most civil rights victories are achieved behind the scenes, and this riveting, beautifully written memoir by a "black first" looks back with searing insight on the decades of struggle, friendship, courage, humor and savvy that secured what seems commonplace today-people of color working in mainstream media. Told with a pioneering newspaper writer's charm and skill, Gilliam's full, fascinating life weaves her personal and professional experiences and media history into an engrossing tapestry. When we read about the death of her father and other formative events of her life, we glimpse the crippling impact of the segregated South before the civil rights movement when slavery's legacy still felt astonishingly close. We root for her as a wife, mother, and ambitious professional as she seizes once-in-a-lifetime opportunities never meant for a "dark-skinned woman" and builds a distinguished career. We gain a comprehensive view of how the media, especially newspapers, affected the movement for equal rights in this country. And in this humble, moving memoir, we see how an innovative and respected journalist and working mother helped provide opportunities for others. With the distinct voice of one who has worked for and witnessed immense progress and overcome heart-wrenching setbacks, this book covers a wide swath of media history -- from the era of game-changing Negro newspapers like the Chicago Defender to the civil rights movement, feminism, and our current imperfect diversity. This timely memoir, which reflects the tradition of boot-strapping African American storytelling from the South, is a smart, contemporary consideration of the media.
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Krose1
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Mehso-so

An important and inspiring memoir by the first black woman reporter at The Washington Post, but I had such a hard time reading this. I‘m glad I read it, but wish the writing style was a bit more approachable.

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Leftcoastzen
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Pickpick

She was raised in the segregated south,started working p/t while in school at the Louisville Defender.One of the youngest editors at Jet Magazine, 1st Black Woman reporter at The Washington Post .She covered some key moments in the civil rights movement.Mother, reporter , editor, columnist, & advocate for diversity in journalism,I am amazed & inspired by her accomplishments.She kept her cool under difficult times w/ the idea progress is possible.

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Leftcoastzen
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Saw an interview with Dorothy Gilliam on the Daily Show with Trevor Noah.I knew my next move was to get this book on my want list at the Library.As the first black woman reporter at the Washington Post(1961) I‘m sure I want to read what she has to say.

wordzie Wow that's 😎 5y
Suet624 Ooohhhhh. Must have. 5y
Leftcoastzen @Suet624 It‘s good so far, last few days , not much reading time. 5y
54 likes5 stack adds3 comments
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LitDrivenGirl
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So far I HIGHLY recommend reading Dorothy Butler Gilliam's book. I'm listening to the audiobook and the more I listen the more I want to know and the more I wish my public education had included more of the history she writes about. A thought provoking and mind igniting #ReadingBlackout 😍.

8 likes2 stack adds
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Weaponxgirl
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Pickpick

The authors career is truly inspiring yet whilst I read this book I couldn‘t put my finger on why I wasn‘t fully engaged with the reading. I realised at the end it was because she is a journalist and she wrote her memoir like the very good journalist she is. I saw glimpses of emotion but I never got to fully engage with them which to me is why I read a memoir. A pick as fascinating but something was missing for me #readblackwomen

Cinfhen Great review 5y
Weaponxgirl @Cinfhen thanks 😊 5y
72 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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Weaponxgirl
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My jaw was hanging open thinking about this as a reality.

51 likes2 stack adds
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Weaponxgirl
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Thankyou to all who gave me hangover sympathy yesterday even though I didn‘t deserve it. On the plus side I managed to read one chapter of this book yesterday for #readblackwomen and #blackhistorymonth.
This came out last month and I‘m surprised no one else has posted about it yet.
Just in the first chapter I can tell I‘m going to be amazed by this woman‘s amazing life and achievements.

suzisteffen Awesome, thank you - I hadn‘t heard of the book! 5y
Weaponxgirl @suzisteffen you are very welcome 😊 5y
63 likes7 stack adds2 comments