Women in Media: “Firsts” Throughout the Years
Over the last three centuries, women working in media have had to fight for respect, recognition, and equal treatment, advancing the agenda that women have a rightful place in the industry. Whether in journalism, public relations, television, radio, advertising or any media venue, women have successfully turned industry “norms” on their head, forging their way into positions once only held by men.
Despite the many years it has taken to incorporate women into mainstream media, remnants of the old values and norms persist. In 2020, McKinsey reported that although women are well represented in early-tenure media and entertainment positions, the number skews to show that they represent only 27% of C-suite positions in these industries.
We wanted to take this opportunity to showcase some of the many incredible accomplishments women have achieved in the media. These trailblazing women, dating back to the mid-1700s, were innovators and fearless risk-takers, household names and forgotten heroes, yet all worth mentioning for their contributions to the advancement of women in media. This list is not exhaustive, but rather intended to point out key historical moments and the feats women accomplished:
1739 - Elizabeth Timothy was the first woman to print a formal newspaper as well as the first female franchise holder in the American colonies.
1762 - Ann Franklin became the first female newspaper editor in America.
1828 - Sarah Hale became the first American female editor of a major women's magazine, the Ladies' Magazine.
1839 - Jane Grey Swisshelm was the first notable woman in political journalism by many accounts. During this era, women began agitating for the right to work as professional journalists in North America and Europe.
1848 – Margaret Fuller became the first female foreign war correspondent.
1855 - Anne McDowell was the first American woman to publish a newspaper – the weekly "Women's Advocate" – run entirely by women.
1949 - Shirley Dinsdale received the very first Emmy Award (for Outstanding Television Personality).
1972 - Katharine Graham became the first female Fortune 500 CEO, as CEO of The Washington Post company.
1976 – Barbara Walters became the first news anchorwoman on any American network (ABC).
1979 - Cicely Tyson was the first Black woman to host Saturday Night Live, during the show’s 4th season.
1986 - Dorothy E. Brunson became the first Black woman in the United States to own and operate a television station.
2004 - Catherine Pepinster became the first female editor of the British newspaper, The Tablet. in its 175-year history.
2004 - Geena Davis launched the Geena Davis Institute on gender in media, spotlighting industry-wide inequality.
2015 - Robin Thede became the first Black woman to be head writer for a late-night talk show. She became head writer for The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore.
2017 - Tiffany Haddish became the first Black woman stand-up comedian to host Saturday Night Live, during the show’s 43rd season.
2018 - Earios, the first all-female podcast media network, was launched by Maria Blasucci, Priyanka Matoo, and Amanda Lund.
2019 - Janet Mock became the first openly trans woman to sign an exclusive Netflix deal.
2019 - Robin Thede's, A Black Lady Sketch Show, the first major sketch show created by a Black woman, premiered. It is also the first sketch show starring Black women, and the first sketch show where every writer is a Black woman.
2021 - Tashnuva Anan Shishir became the first transgender female news anchor in Bangladesh.
The tides are shifting away from entrenched gender-based stereotypes and opening opportunities for women everywhere to not only equally participate in the media industry, but to succeed, flourish, and influence change its DNA. Data suggests we’re already making strides: public relations, for example, has successfully engaged more women than men. But true success will come when all corners of the industry engage with women on an equal playing field with men.
In honor of Women’s History Month, we salute those who came before us and vow to continue to work towards a better future for women in media. The following women are pioneers, past and present, who have created a brighter future for the industry:
Jill Abramson, Christiane Amanpour, Helen Boaden, Tina Brown, Dorothy E. Brunson, Slyvia Chase, Connie Chung, Katie Couric, S. E. Cupp, Ann Curry, Geena Davis, Lindsey Davis, Shirley Dinsdale, Linda Ellerbee, Ann Franklin, Katharine Graham, Sarah Hale, Ariana Huffington, Brianna Keilar, Rachel Maddow, Anne McDowell, Andrea Mitchell, Janet Mock, Catherine Pepinster, Marta Raddatz, Cokie Roberts, Robin Roberts, Amber Ruffin, María Elena Salinas, Marlene Sanders, Jessica Savitch, Diane Sawyer, Tashnuva Anan Shishir, Maria Shriver, Carole Simpson, Greta Van Susteren, Jane Grey Swisshelm, Robin Thede, Elizabeth Timothy, Elizabeth Vargas, Nicole Wallace, Oprah Winfrey, Anna Wintour, Judy Woodruff.
