Outsiders often have the idea of a stereotype that Nebraska is just a state for farming and corn. But, thanks to a Creighton professor’s insight, it can be known that Nebraska has much more to offer, especially when it comes to history of women in journalism.
According to a university press release, Eileen Wirth, Ph.D., chair and professor of the Department of Journalism, Media and Computing at Creighton recently published her new book, “From Society Page to Front Page: Nebraska Women in Journalism.” This is only one of her many publications.
Wirth holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in journalism from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, as well as a doctorate in political science from UNL. She first joined the Creighton family in 1991, and in 1997 became the chair of the Department of Journalism, Media and Computing. Wirth’s credibility is attributed to reporting for the Omaha World Herald for 11 years, as well as working in public relations for Union Pacific Railroad for eight years, the university release said.
The author was one of three of the four first women reporters at the Omaha World Herald. Wirth said that after going on sabbatical and teaching history of American mass media for many years, she decided she wanted to write something on the history of women in journalism.
Wirth’s most recent book focuses on journalists from every venue, from rural weeklies to television. The book also offers insight into some of the most remarkable stories in the history of journalism and discusses the barriers females faced throughout the course of history.
“This book sheds new light on how women have learned juggling personal and professional lives,” Wirth said. “These women were as capable as any other Nebraska native, were married, raising families and chose to live here. “
Wirth is a Nebraska native herself. Furthermore, Wirth explained that although these women may not have thought their jobs and careers were important, they were. These women encouraged others and have made a difference for women today because of their hard work.
“This was the most satisfying project I’ve ever done because it helped me learn an incredible amount about a group of women from my state who have been part of Nebraska journalism,” Wirth said. “These women were suffrage journalists, white house correspondents, even teenage girls who ran their own weekly newspapers in small towns. They were remarkable people.”
According to the press release, the book covers stories from the days of Willa Cather to modern journalists from all across the state. Wirth documents many women who she was unfamiliar with who had high achieving careers, but also faced many obstacles along the way.
Wirth explained the 2008 presidential elections and discussed how TV commentators were extremely sexist toward candidate Hilary Clinton. Commentators trashed Clinton’s women supporters. Wirth said after hearing this female figure be completely disrespected, she was interested in further looking into the issue of why these disrespectful terms had not subsided. Additionally, the women discussed in Wirth’s book are individuals who have dealt with different levels of women’s suffrage.
“The epilogue I hope does a few things,: one, help women of a certain age celebrate their own careers because it shows a story of all of the huge doors that were opened for young women, and it is a story that has not been told,” Wirth said. “Young women can learn what their mothers and professors have done and be encouraged to tell their own stories.”
Journalism is a field with a wide variety of bright people who get to meet interesting people and do interesting things while getting paid, Wirth explained. She said she began reading books by journalists in high school and journalism seemed like an interesting and fun occupation.
“In college I worked on the student paper, and for the first time in life I felt like I belonged, and was with the people I had the most things in common with,” Wirth said. “My joy in teaching journalism is helping students find a field they love and find out who they are, like I did.”
The Department of Journalism, Media and Computing at Creighton has a close-knit staff and special relationship with students. It is the department’s hope that students will find their way, and know that they have a group of individuals directly out of the field to contact even after their undergraduate days are over.
Wirth will be having a book signing and panel discussion featuring women from her book at the Omaha Press Club on May 9 and welcomes all faculty and students. The signing and discussion will begin at 5 p.m. and all of the proceeds from the book sales will go directly to the Press Club Foundation scholarship fund.