EOTO Women in Journalism: Ann Smith Franklin

Ann Smith Franklin was born in Boston, Massachusetts in 1696. Ann Smith Franklin married James Franklin on February 4th, 1723 at 26. She and James had five kids. James Franklin was Benjamin Franklin’s brother. Her husband James Franklin and her brother in law Benjamin Franklin started the New England Courant in 1721. A little while after the newspaper was established James was sent to jail for scandalous libel. The paper lasted in the press for about six years.The impact of Ann Smith Franklin was important to women and her work in journalism in the early 1700’s. 

As Ann Smith’s journalistic career began to progress, she and her husband moved to the colony of Rhode Island and established the first printing press around the year 1735. Her husband James Franklin had an Almanac called Poor Robins Act and after her husband James Franklin died on February 4th, 1735 later that year from a long standing battle with illness, Ann decided to revive the Almanac and she renamed it the Rhode Island Almanac. Her reviving the Almanac would lead her to become known as the first female editor and writer in the US. Ann continued to run the press in Rhode Island. 

Some of her duties running the press were printing and editing. Ann’s children worked with her in the printing and journalism business. Her daughters would help with the printing work and her son became her business partner. Together Ann and her children would launch the NewPort Mercury newspaper after James death. The NewPort Mercury newspaper began in 1758 and lasted until its final issue in the 21st century in the year 2018. 

The NewPort Mercury Newspaper was in print for 260 years. The NewPort Mercury was run under the advice of Ann Smith Franklin until she passed. The NewPort Mercury and all of its associates The NewPort Daily News, and NewPort Life Magazine were purchased in 2017, and all publications ceased in the following year in 2018. 

The newspaper covered a plethora of issues during its time in print. Ann continued to run the printing press with her three children that survived her and her husband until she passed away in 1763. Ann Smith Franklin was the first woman to be inducted in the Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame. She and her husband James Franklin were both inducted into the Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame in 1998. 

In summation Ann Smith Franklin was a titan in her respective field of writing and reporting in the early 1700’s. She was a beacon of history for up and coming women in the field of journalism and she was very important to the colony of Rhode Island in her time and for women in journalism and beyond. Ann Smith Franklin laid the foundation for women in journalism and she was a pioneer for journalism and for women who have an interest in telling stories. Ann Smith Franklin will be remembered as a changing force and powerhouse for women in journalism. 

Note:Claude AI was used to summarize my sources and give an overview of the first few major women in journalism. 

Me in 500 words

 

Photo:Brandon Lenoir

My internship supervisor and I with my fellow intern at a fundraiser dinner

From Regular College Student to Campaign Intern

By:Kyra Clark

I want to be impactful and memorable in life and no one can tell me I can’t be .

Why? 

You might ask, because I want to be a voice for the voiceless. 

I want to become an advocate for those who don’t have a way to express themselves 

It all started when I took civics my sophomore year of high school, and I’ve been interested in civil rights and politics ever since.

Only when I took a leap of faith, did it help me gain my confidence and footing in the world of politics and I landed my first internship in campaigns

I got my most insightful and groundbreaking internship with the current mayor of High Point. 

You might also be asking yourself how it feels to be a campaign intern? 

It’s amazing, I am truly glad I took a leap of faith and achieved such a great milestone 

I’m not kidding when I say getting this internship has been one of the greatest experiences of my life.

I have been with the campaign for seven months now and I truly have a greater understanding and acceptance for the world of politics.

I now understand the greater impact I want to have in the world of politics and be a voice of change.

 I want to be a voice of change in an evolving world and throughout my time in my internship it has taught me that if you want to see change, you need to be the one to create it.

Campaign dinner with Mayor Cyril Jefferson

Photo:Brandon Lenoir

Being a young woman living my life and working on this campaign has taught me that I can accomplish anything I set my mind to.

 

I have always dreamt of being someone people can look up to and working with these amazing men and women as a campaign intern has taught me that with hard work and dedication you can achieve your wildest dreams.

I guess my biggest takeaway here is don’t let anyone tell you who you’re allowed to be.

You are allowed to grow, change, and be the best version of yourself that you choose to be. 

I am learning that I am changing everyday for the betterment of myself and it’s all thanks to this campaign that I am so grateful to be a part of, 

every moment in life leads to a greater purpose and achievement and I’m just getting started achieving everything I want to accomplish.

In the end, this is just the start of my journey in politics and a future of achievements that will lead to something bigger than myself. 

This is one of many experiences I will have in life. 

I want to be seen as someone who never shied away from a challenge, I want to be known for leaving an impact in everything that I do and this campaign was the start of that journey. 

Lastly, I want to be remembered by those around me as someone who was impactful, kind, and made the best out of everything.

 

Campaign event with my fellow interns and supervisor

Photo:Kyra Clark