I started writing for newspapers when I was in middle school. I was the feature editor for the PawPrint Press at Saks Middle School. Here I am, as a 7th grader, pictured with the newspaper sponsor and editor. I wrote feature articles and editorials for newspapers at Saks, Austin, and Anniston High School, and I continued the trend at the University of Montevallo, Jacksonville State University, and Athens State College--even though my majors were music and English education, not journalism. Journalism allowed me to express my views--no matter how polarizing; I supported breastfeeding in public before it was popular--way back in 1989--through a very outspoken JSU editorial. Writing offered a voice for my idealism. Through the years, as marriage, motherhood, teaching, and (yes, even) religion somewhat softened my free-thinking-and-speaking soul, I realized it wasnt really the activism I so deeply craved as a journalist--it was the relationships I formed with so many. I loved hearing others stories, no matter how different from my own, and finding connections we shared. I enjoyed meeting new people, even though I was (and likely still am) an introvert, and introductions via the newspaper were far less intimidating. I met many people and made many friends through my role as a newspaper reporter/writer, and their stories broadened my vision, opened my ears, widened my heart, and cultivated a spirit of empathy towards those who are not just like me. We all have stories to tell; and were all really more alike than not. I still remember every single story I wrote, but it was the STORYTELLERS whose impressions buried even deeper in my soul. Im so grateful to once again have the opportunity to meet more people and share their stories! A girl can walk away from writing and sharing, but writing and sharing can never really walk away from the girl. What an amazing assignment to mark my first story--a local gym that offers classes for children with autism! One more friend made. One more story told. :) Thank you, Madison Weekly News and John Few, for this opportunity!
Posted on: Sat, 05 Jul 2014 21:12:23 +0000
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