Another prominent writer, who asked not be identified, observed: “Power isn’t just politics. It isn’t just public. There are journalists — more often women than men, I think — whose work makes people think private thoughts, whose words are hung on refrigerators and spoken at weddings and funerals and birthday parties and Sunday sermons. I think that’s often overlooked or viewed as something lesser when, in truth, it’s just influence of a different shade and tone.”

Summify – Most powerful women in Chicago journalism? Here’s one man’s list | Robert Feder

Dangerously close to patronizing in the quote above, but I like Feder’s lists:

The Ten Most Powerful Women in Chicago Journalism:

  • Emily Barr, president and general manager, ABC 7
  • Carol Marin, columnist, Chicago Sun-Times, political editor, NBC 5, correspondent, WTTW
  • Jane Hirt, managing editor, Chicago Tribune
  • Lynn Sweet, Washington bureau chief and blogger, Chicago Sun-Times
  • Mary Schmich, columnist, Chicago Tribune
  • Mary Field, executive producer, WTTW
  • Sally Eisele, managing editor of public affairs, WBEZ
  • Linda Johnson Rice, chairman, Johnson Publishing Co.
  • Madeleine Doubek, assistant vice president and executive editor, Daily Herald
  • Mara Shalhoup, editor, Chicago Reader

The Next Ten:

  • Jennifer Graves, vice president and news director, ABC 7
  • Fran Spielman, City Hall reporter, Chicago Sun-Times
  • Shia Kapos, columnist and blogger, Crain’s Chicago Business
  • Mary Mitchell, columnist and editorial board member, Chicago Sun-Times
  • Melody Spann Cooper, president and general manager, WVON
  • Amy Carr, executive editor, Time Out Chicago
  • Michael Sneed, columnist, Chicago Sun-Times
  • Elizabeth Brackett, correspondent, WTTW
  • Sherren Leigh, president and editor-in-chief, Today’s Chicago Woman
  • Pam Zekman, investigative reporter, CBS 2