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Oct 2023
29m 45s

The ‘Stunt Work’ That Launched Women Int...

The History Co:Lab and Pod People
About this episode

Women including Ida B. Wells and Nellie Bly were on the front edge of investigative journalism in the 1800s. But even with these historical trailblazers, why were women excluded from reporting hard news until recent history? 


Producer Jordan Pettiford sits down with author, journalist and professor Brooke Kroeger to find out. Brooke has authored six books and her most recent book is “Undaunted: How Women Changed American Journalism”


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Show Notes: 

(00:00) - Introduction 

(1:08) - Who is Ida B. Wells?

(2:08) - Journalist Nellie Bly and the Insane Asylum 

(6:04) - Women Journalists & ‘Stunt Work’

(8:03) - Ida B. Wells’ Entry Into Journalism

(10:05) - Ida B. Wells & Lynching Investigations 

(11:24) - ‘Sob Sisters’ and ‘Front Page Girls’ of the 1920s 

(12:48) - Women as War Correspondents 

(14:43) - Impact of The Civil Rights Act of 1964 

(18:18) - Scrutiny Women Face in Broadcast Journalism 

(20:46) - Female Executive Editors at Top News Organizations

(23:13) - Brooke Kroeger’s Advice for Young Journalists

(26:27) - Reflections

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