Today the world (thanks to an iconic Google doodle) celebrates the 153rd birthday of the heroic journalist
Ida B Wells.
The fearless former editor and civil rights activist was an early inspiration as she used her writing skills to document abuse and injustice.
Google's quote about Wells summarizes the celebration:
“We salute Ida B. Wells with a Doodle that commemorates her journalistic mettle and her unequivocal commitment to the advancement of civil liberties.”
As a child I learned about how Wells used the power of journalism to enlighten others about inequality, lynchings and women's suffrage. She was revered as an editor of a newspaper twice before the age 25. The most interesting part of her work was investigative journalism and committed communication with the community. In 1889, Wells became co-owner of Free Speech and Headlight where she used the platform to share certain truths.
"I had an instinctive feeling that the people who have little or no school training should have something coming into their homes weekly which dealt with their problems in a simple, helpful way... so I wrote in a plain, common-sense way on the things that concerned our people." ~Ida B Wells
Interestingly, I have the privilege of spending a week at the Yale Publishing Course learning about journalism on her birthday.
The week has reignited my passion for the role that journalism can play in equality. I am eager to return and implement exciting ideas in LHCDC's Empowerment Magazine.
The celebration of Wells coincides with a week filled with presentations about communication, branding and leadership in journalism. Founding Empowerment Magazine was an inspiration that came from a long-time respect for revolutionary writing like those of Wells, and this week has affirmed my passion.
These concepts were perfectly orated by the iconic Richard Stolley- founding editor of People, former managing editor of Time, former editorial director of Life.
During our first presentation titled
The Power of Truth.
Stolley warned:
"Democracy depends on Truth.
Truth in your stories, photography, advertising and what you ask of your readers."
He went on to honor the fearless journalists that have lost their lives since 1992
insisting that,
"Seeking truth is never easy."
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| Today we celebrate Ida B. Well and those who have bravely paved the way for Truth! |
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