Women in Journalism Roundtable

The Oklahoma Historical Society will present a free roundtable conversation with prominent Oklahoma women journalist discussing their careers and celebrating the life and career of Edith Gaylord on June 13 at 3:30 p.m. Participating in the roundtable will be Sue Hale, Jenifer Reynolds, Vivian Vahlberg and Pam Olson. All are featured in the OHS Pioneer Woman Museum’s exhibit "Breaking News: Oklahoma Women Journalists" in Ponca City. After the conversation at 5:30 p.m., the deadCENTER film festival will premiere the documentary "Quiet Philanthropist: The Edith Gaylord Story" at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art.

Sue Hale began working for the Oklahoma City Times in 1975. In 1991, as assistant managing editor of the Daily Oklahoman, she coordinated the move from a downtown building to new offices in a suburban location. Five years later Sue was entrusted with the launch of a new initiative called ConnectOklahoma. With that project online, she was named executive editor of the Daily Oklahoman.

Raised in Oklahoma City, Vivian Vahlberg became the Daily Oklahoman’s Washington, DC, correspondent in 1971. In 1982 President Ronald Reagan swore Vahlberg in as the first female president of the prestigious National Press Club. She later became the executive director of the Society of Professional Journalists.

In 1976 Pam Olson became the Oklahoma City market’s first prime time female anchor for KWTV. She left Oklahoma City to join CBS News, covering the southeastern United States. In 1982 Olsen relocated to CNN and worked as the White House correspondent and in 1985 became Congressional correspondent.

Jenifer Reynolds started her career on KOSU radio while attending college at Oklahoma State University. She moved to television in 1988 as KWTV Channel 9’s primary Capitol reporter. In 1990 Reynolds was offered an anchor job at the station. Since leaving the anchor’s desk, Reynolds serves as cohost of the statewide television show "Discover Oklahoma."