The Women's National Press Club: Case Study of Professional Aspirations

Reconstructing collective professional identity: A case study of a women’s journalist association in the post–second-wave feminist movement in the United States

“…JAWS negotiated its interest in enacting second-wave feminist tenets, such as enhancing opportunities for women in the journalism field, alongside providing members with individual benefits, such as mentorship, networking opportunities, and professional development, characteristics typical of professional associations (Dansky, 1996; Forret and Dougherty, 2004). These goals also reflected women journalists’ association’s historical focus on offering members outlets to improve their skills and influence one another’s goals and achievements (Beasley, 1988) while also providing them a sense of power and solidarity through their shared identity as women journalists (Burt, 2000).…”

“…The development of women journalist organizations in the U.S. illuminates the convergence between professional associations and social movement organizations. Although women were initially excluded from mainstream press clubs, they began to form their own associations, modeled after the women's club movement of the 19th century that brought women together for educational and social purposes (Beasley, 1988). By the end of the 1890s, an estimated 700 women had joined women journalist associations in 17 states to claim a legitimate place within the field of journalism and to provide "a sense of power, solidarity, and identity women could rarely have experienced in mixed-sex organizations" (Burt, 2000: XXV).…”

“…By the end of the 1890s, an estimated 700 women had joined women journalist associations in 17 states to claim a legitimate place within the field of journalism and to provide "a sense of power, solidarity, and identity women could rarely have experienced in mixed-sex organizations" (Burt, 2000: XXV). For women journalists, the clubs provided an outlet for professional development, and the women could influence one another's aspirations and achievements (Beasley, 1988). Women's press organizations emerged in tandem with women's rights issues.…”

“…In the United States, women journalists have played a significant role in women’s movements (Beasley and Gibbons, 1993; Carter et al, 1998). They organized the first women’s group, with the founding of the Women’s National Press Association in 1882, and many additional women journalist associations were organized throughout the 20th century (Beasley, 1988; Burt, 2000; Lang, 1999; Voss and Speere, 2008). Scholars argue that these associations were rooted in women’s movements, not only sharing the movements’ reformist outlook but also promoting their social causes and public awareness (Bradley, 2005; Burt, 1997, 2000).…”

Recent Directions for the Study of Women's History in American Journalism

“…To keep its news orientation it limited the participation of publicists (none could be elected president) and took in twice as many journalists as publicists (Beasley, 1988). Its membership requirements were so stringent that a minority of nine objected to Eleanor Roosevelt becoming a member on grounds that she did not earn her livelihood from journalism (Beasley, 1987).…”