Legacy in Female Journalism
Many years after Bly led women to be able to use their writing abilities for less superficial means, female journalists continue to impact society and produce reforms.
“Women will capture a different view of the world, given their role in their communities...News is more balanced if you have men and women reporting.”
-Jeanne Bourgault, president, Internews
impactful writing
Bly broke down barriers for women. Now, female journalists can write about meaningful things.
The following color-coded quotes show the transformation of journalists, from Bly's time to the modern day. Move your mouse over the images to reveal Bly's influence on each woman and click on quotes to view the information in larger print
Lady Hay Drummond-Hay
Drummond-Hay was the first woman to fly around the world by air.Contrary to when Bly proposed her trip and was harshly discouraged, William Randolph Hearst chose to send her on this trip.
|
Gloria Steinem
Gloria Steinham employed stunt journalism to attract the public's attention to poor treatments of workers in the Playboy Club, and
she was successful in exposing the lies of the Playboy company.
|
Hu Shuli
Hu Shuli is known widely in China and around the world for her muckraking journalism. She bravely exposes government corruption and brings attention to workers conditions.
|
"I hope we will meet again as 'companions in adventure'...and that we will once more pioneer a path through the air together." -Drummond-Hay, in a letter to a fellow aviator |
"I've spent the entire afternoon making up a background for Marie...tomorrow is the day. Marie makes her first trip out of this notebook and into the world." |
"Since corruption is inevitable at a time when China’s economy is undergoing rapid development... it is even more necessary to remain on guard against it." |
From left to right: [Shannon Skinner Media (1929), Leadership Style Center (1970), World Press Institute (1987)]
The amount of male and female journalists is reaching equilibrium. Bly helped close the gap by leading women to discover new careers.
"[Bly] showed her generation and many generations after that how to be a woman alone out in the world, unapologetically. A significant part of her legacy is that she reflected an image of the ideal woman who could go out by herslf...and come out okay."
-Jean Marie Lutes, author, Front Page Girls