Journalism has always evolved through the efforts of those with a clear vision and strong editorial voice. Today, gender representation in the field is closer than ever to balance. The 2023 State of Data Journalism survey found that 49% of respondents identified as men and 48% as women, a notable shift from 2022, when 58% were men and 40% were women. This progress reflects the contributions of women who, across generations, took on leading roles and helped shape the direction of modern media. Elizabeth Timothy, Edna Woolman Chase, Diana Vreeland, Eleanor “Cissy” Patterson, Dorothy Schiff and Mary Ann Shadd Cary each played a defining role in shaping the newspapers and magazines of their time, leaving behind a lasting influence on journalism.
Elizabeth Timothy:
In 1738, Elizabeth Timothy assumed control of the South Carolina Gazette following the death of her husband, Lewis Timothy. The circumstances compelled her to step into the role to ensure the business continued, making her the first woman editor and publisher in American history. At a time when women had limited access to professional roles and publishing was no exception, she published her first issue on 4th January 1739, listing her eldest son as publisher. Maintaining the existing partnership with Benjamin Franklin, Elizabeth managed the business with evident competence and vision.
Under her leadership, the Gazette broadened its editorial scope to include news publishing, poetry and literary classics, securing its position as a respected and profitable colonial newspaper.
Benjamin Franklin later acknowledged her exceptional accomplishments by stating: “She managed the business with such success, that she not only brought up reputably a family of children, but, at the expiration of the term, was able to purchase of me the printing‑house, and establish her son in it.”
Her leadership remains a milestone in early American media and female enterprise.
Eleanor “Cissy” Patterson
Eleanor “Cissy” Patterson was an American journalist who became one of the first women to run a major newspaper, serving as editor of the Washington Times-Herald. She was born in 1881, into the Medill newspaper dynasty and was the granddaughter of Joseph Medill, who was the editor of the Chicago Tribune. She first started her career in 1920 under brother Joseph, and William Randolph Hearst for New York Daily News. 10 years later, William Hearst made her the Editor of Washington Herald and Washington Times.
Under her leadership, she made a deliberate effort to employ more women across different roles in the media industry. She had doubled the circulation of the herald to 120,000 by 1936 and by 1939 Cissy bought both papers from William Hearst and merged them into the Times Herald and became one of the first women to head a major daily newspaper in the country. Cissy once said that “I’d rather raise hell than raise vegetables.” She left an indelible mark on the field of journalism, and history will remember her as one of its finest.
Dorothy Schiff
Dorothy Schiff was born into a wealthy family in New York. Her paternal grandfather, Jacob Schiff, emigrated from Germany in 1865 and made his fortune in banking. Throughout her adult life, Dorothy was a philanthropist and an ardent supporter of liberal political and social causes. She served on the boards of Mount Sinai Hospital, the Henry Street Settlement, and the Women’s Trade Union League. She also was a member of the New York Board of Child Welfare and the New York Joint Committee for the Ratification of the Child Labor Amendment.
During the year 1939, Cissy was not the only woman making big moves in her career, because in the same year Dorothy Schiff purchased The New York Post. In 1942, Dorothy took over the newspaper, making her the first female NY newspaper publisher. Dorothy devoted the paper to liberal efforts such as unions and social assistance. Columnists included Eleanor Roosevelt, Eric Sevareid, Franklin P. Adams, Elsa Maxwell, and Drew Pearson. She also published the Paris Post for a few years.
In the 1960s, the newspaper industry faced a period of disruption, including labour strikes, financial pressures, and structural changes. The Post remained the last operating evening paper in New York City. Dorothy invested in automated equipment and moved the paper to a larger space, navigating the challenges posed by the rise of television as a dominant news medium. By the mid-1970s, financial pressures mounted, and in December 1976, Dorothy sold the Post to Rupert Murdoch, remaining a consultant until 1981.
As she once expressed, “Influence, not power, is what interests me.”
Indeed, the influence she had on the media and on the city of New York is unforgettable.
Edna Woolman Chase
Edna Woolman Chase once said, “Fashion can be bought. Style one must possess.” She was a pioneer in modern fashion publishing. As a teenager, she moved to New York City, where she became fascinated by high society and fashion through the local newspapers.
Her career with Vogue started in 1895 when she was hired for a temporary job addressing envelopes. She showed great diligence and a strong grasp of editorial style, quickly catching the attention of Vogue’s founder, Arthur Baldwin Turnure.
After Turnure passed away in 1906, Chase continued to move up the ranks under Condé Nast’s ownership. She worked closely with the editor Marie Harrison. When Harrison retired in 1914, Chase took over as editor. In 1929, she became the editor-in-chief of all Vogue editions worldwide.
Under Chase’s guidance, Vogue became the top authority on high society and fashion. She was known for her perfectionism, excellent taste, and clear vision. She gathered a team of talented artists and editors, leading the publication to the forefront of international style. She oversaw all parts of production, including editorial, finance, creative, and cultural aspects, ensuring Vogue’s unique voice and influence remained strong.
Chase retired in 1952. In 1954, she co-authored Always in Vogue, a look back at her remarkable career. She left a lasting legacy of innovation in fashion journalism, shaping Vogue into a key platform for style and a stepping stone for women in publishing.
Diana Vreeland
Diana Vreeland built on the legacy of Edna Woolman Chase, transforming Vogue from a symbol of social elegance into a platform for bold creativity and individuality. Where Chase defined fashion authority, Vreeland brought theatricality and vision.
She began her career at Harper’s Bazaar, where her Why Don’t You? column and dramatic fashion spreads redefined the role of fashion editor. Over 26 years, she championed originality, spotlighting unconventional models and helping popularise the bikini and turtleneck. In the 1960s, she became editor-in-chief of Vogue, embracing the energy of the era and pushing the magazine toward the avant-garde. Her lavish, imaginative shoots and support for emerging talent shaped the magazine’s modern identity.
Vreeland’s next chapter began at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute, where she served as Special Consultant. With no formal academic background, she curated 15 exhibitions between 1973 and 1987, drawing record crowds and transforming the Costume Institute into a major cultural destination.
Where Edna Woolman Chase defined fashion authority, Diana Vreeland infused it with fantasy, theatre, and cultural relevance. Together, they shaped the editorial legacy of Vogue and changed the way the world sees fashion.
Mary Ann Shadd Cary
Mary Ann Shadd Cary was a notable African American-Canadian publisher, educator, and activist. In 1853, she founded The Provincial Freeman, an abolitionist newspaper based in Canada West (now Ontario), making her the first Black woman publisher in North America. The paper focused on promoting racial equality, education, and self-reliance within Black communities.
Following changes in U.S. legislation that affected free Black individuals, Shadd Cary relocated to Canada. There, she established one of the region’s earliest integrated schools, promoting education as a means of empowerment. In the year 1883, she graduated from Howard University School of Law, becoming one of the first Black women to earn a law degree in the United States. Her achievements in education, publishing, and law reflect a strong commitment to equality and creating opportunities for those who came after her.
At a time when leadership roles for women in the media were uncommon, these pioneers pushed boundaries and reshaped the industry, paving the way for greater inclusion and diversity in journalism. Their stories remind us that progress is often driven by those who challenge convention, creating opportunities not only for themselves but for future generations.
