Zeeck, Beatrice 1999-08-21
Bea Zeeck is a longtime journalist. She provides information on her career as a print journalist all over the world. Zeeck also gives pertinent information about the struggles of a female journalist in the 1940s, 1950s, and so on. She also speaks about attributes of good journalists and the future.
General Interview Information
Interviewee Name: Beatrice Zeeck
Additional Parties Recorded: None
Date: August 21, 1999
Location: Lubbock, Texas
Interviewer: Christye Marez
Length: 50 minutes
Abstract
Tape 1, Side 1: Zeeck, Beatrice (Bea),
Background: b. Chicago, Illinois,
Schools, College Journalism and English interests piqued,
Work on Columbia Missourian and The Daily Cardinal,
News Background,
World War II,
International News Service (INS),
Career Path,
Chico, California Air Base newspaper,
Back to Chicago area,
International News Service opportunity with Hearst Wire Service,
Challenges of female journalists,
Male dominated industry,
Degrees looked down upon,
Path to South America,
Job opportunity in Panama while at Chicago Bureau for INS,
Took job with the Panama American,
Worked with former President of Panama, Armodio Arrias,
Met husband here,
Lubbock career,
Move to West Texas from Panama City because husband wanted to farm,
Stayed home with children for 15 years in Plainview, Texas,
Worked for Buckner Advertising for three year in Lubbock,
Advertising Agency,
Buckner hired her because "he could pay a woman half of what he had to pay a man.",
Applied for other jobs, no one would hire her because of competition of wages (collision),
History of pay scale,
Chicago,
Depression times,
World War II,
Union issues,
Texas,
Tech Career,
Started as a writer later promoted to interim news and publication director,
Women versus men in the news room,
Relaying to the public what Tech was doing was key for her.
Tape 1, Side 2: Most dramatic event while at Tech,
John Hinckley shot Reagan,
Former Tech student,
Advice to young journalists,
Think about things you enjoy,
doing and lose track of time,
Integrity is crucial in journalism,
Qualities of a good journalist,
Diligence, perseverance,
Willingness to do research,
Personal strengths as a journalist,
Love for the job,
Caring about her quality of work,
Caring about people’s stories,
Role of the media over the years,
Celebrity entertainment has evolved in media rather than news media,
Internet is all right for people who only want to touch on the news,
Technology and change,
News from around the world,
Satellite news, cell phones,
Because of technology, people have access to information.
Range Dates: 1922-1990s
Bulk Dates: 1930s-1980s
Access Information
Original Recording Format:
Recording Format Notes:
Transcript:
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