Dorothy Butler Gilliam facts for kids

Dorothy Pearl Butler Gilliam, born on November 24, 1936, is an American journalist. She made history in 1961. She was the first African-American woman reporter at The Washington Post newspaper.

Early Life and Education

Dorothy Gilliam was born in Memphis, Tennessee, on November 24, 1936. She was the eighth child in her family.

When she was in college, Dorothy worked as a secretary. This was for the Louisville Defender, an African-American newspaper. At just 17 years old, she became its society reporter. This experience showed her how journalism could open up new worlds.

She then moved to a historically black college with a journalism program. She graduated with honors from Lincoln University. She earned a bachelor's degree in journalism.

Starting Her Journalism Career

In 1957, Dorothy became a reporter for the Memphis Tri-State Defender. This paper was part of the Chicago Defender chain. She worked for editor L. Alex Wilson.

Covering Important Events

Dorothy saw on TV that Wilson was attacked while reporting on the 1957 Little Rock Nine school desegregation crisis. This event deeply affected her. Even though Wilson warned her it was too dangerous, she insisted on going to cover the story herself.

While there, she met an editor from Jet magazine. Soon after, she became a reporter for Jet and Ebony. She realized she needed more education to work at a big city newspaper.

Joining The Washington Post

Dorothy earned her master's degree from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. At 24, she was hired by The Washington Post. She was the first African-American woman to be a reporter there.

She started at The Washington Post in October 1961. She worked as a reporter on the City Desk. In 1979, she began writing a popular column for the Post. Her column covered education, politics, and race. It appeared regularly for 19 years.

Activism and Mentorship

Besides her work at The Washington Post, Dorothy Gilliam has always been an activist. She has worked for public service. She helped organize protests against the New York Daily News. This was after they fired many of their African-American staff. She also served as president of the National Association of Black Journalists from 1993 to 1995.

She also taught journalism for a short time. She taught at American University and Howard University.

Helping Young Journalists

In 1997, Dorothy created the Young Journalists Development Program. This program was for The Washington Post. It aimed to bring more young people into journalism. Post journalists work with students at local high schools. Sometimes, the Post even prints the high school newspapers.

In 2004, she started Prime Movers Media. This was the first journalism mentorship program for students in underserved urban schools. The program sends experienced journalists and university interns to mentor high school students. This happens in Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia.

Awards and Recognition

Dorothy Gilliam has received many awards for her work.

• In 2010, the Washington Press Club gave her its Lifetime Achievement Award.
• In 2019, the National Center for Health Research gave her the Foremothers Lifetime Achievement Award.
• In 2023, Wilberforce University gave her an Honorary Doctorate. This was for being a trailblazer and for her dedication.
• In 2022, she created the Adee Butler Writing Center at Wilberforce University. This honored her father.

She is also a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.

Family Life

Dorothy Gilliam was married to Sam Gilliam. He was a famous abstract artist. They later divorced. They have three daughters: Stephanie, Melissa, and Leah. They also have three grandchildren.