In
Bold Types
, Patricia Clarke recounts the chequered
journey of women journalists in the fight for gender
equality from 1860 to the end of World War II. These were
independent, adventurous women who ventured far and
wide in search of news, relevance and equality.
Together, stories of women from Anna Blackwell and
Flora Shaw to Janet Mitchell and Caroline Isaacson,
illustrate the gains and setbacks of women journalists over
nearly a century. In each successive story, the tenacious
determination of these women stands clear against the
background of the prevailing patriarchy.
Patricia Clarke was a trailblazer herself as the only
woman on the Melbourne staff at the Australian News
and Information Bureau in the early 1950s. In a detailed
epilogue, Patricia shares stories of her own life and career
in the days of crowded newsrooms, clattering typewriters,
and overflowing cigarette trays.
The book also features an introduction by Amy Remeikis,
political reporter at
The Guardian Australia
, who
reflects on the struggles and achievements of her early
counterparts as well as the current working environment
for women journalists.
Bold Types
is a book that will resound with and inspire
today’s audience, in a world where women are still fighting
for equal rights and often, respect in the workplace.