The Girls in the Balcony: Women, Men, and The New York Times

by Nan Robertson

"Women's struggle for equal work and equal pay at the newspaper of record is the subject. A century-long tale of courage, despair and outright mulishness told with wit, candor and great affection. Superlative journalism- sharp, detailed and unsparing." -Kirkus Starred Review

Genres: Journalism, History, Nonfiction, Feminism, Womens, American History, Memoir

296 pages, Paperback

First published February 4, 1992

Reviews

[Don Heiman · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 1992 Random House released the autobiographic and memoir book “The Girls in the Balcony” by Pulitzer Prize author Nancy (Nan) Robertson. This amazing book is about how female employees at the New York Times in the 1960s and ‘70s dramatically changed U.S. bureaucratic gender bias. The book describes a 1972 civil rights caucus letter signed by 52 N.Y. Times female employees. This letter triggered the 1978 Boylan vs The New York Times law suit . At the time the law suit court hearing began, there was an eighty day “blackout labor strike” at all three New York City newspapers . The case was settled in favor of the litigants for $350,000. This famous case had a major impact on American civil rights and the social justice foundations of American life. This is an exceptional landmark book that is well written and very insightful, (p)

[Kimberly Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an amazing read - a very well written overview of women's work and contributions at The New York Times. The women are individually remembered, with their life story told, and the way they ended up being employed by the Times. There are so many fascinating paths to greatness in journalism, and very evident intellect, determination and ambition. The story leads to the law suit brought in the early 1970's against the Time by a group of women suing for equal pay, access to top posts and positions and writing assignments.

This book makes me want to get out there and light world on fire! It is an amazing call for women to be strong, smart, determined contributors. There is much to admire about these journalists and the excellence they brought to the paper of record for many decades.

[M. Swanson · Rating 1 out of 5]

I did not finish this book. An arduous read with mind numbing detail. Reading brings me too much joy to spend time reading something that becomes a chore. The struggle for women to gain equal ground and respect in our world is real. That being said, journalism is not a battleground that leads that fight.

[Lauren Petterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

"In large part, they are not doing it for themselves. They do it for the women who come after them."
I would definitely recommend this to any young journalist wanting a better understanding of what the women journalists who came before us went through.

[Roberta · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a former journalist I found this fascinating and all too real.

[Kim Hoang · Rating 4 out of 5]

can kinda get bogged down by the details, but otherwise a pleasant and informative read. love love loved the ending. also i got to visit the room where the women stood in the balcony so that was cool

“Did you mention to young Arthur that he also has a daughter?”

[Camelia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Katelyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A niche book about the history of women at The New York Times. Would recommend for anyone who wanted a history lesson of the inner workings of an organization that has a large amount of societal power.

[Amy Moritz · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book takes the reader through the formation of the Women's Caucus at the New York Times and the subsequent law suit filed under Title VII citing gender discrimination in advancement and salaries. The author, Nan Robertson, was part of the event and much of her writing is in the first person. It took me some time as a reader to get used to that. Also the fact that numbers are spelled out. That bothered me. But that's just me!

It was inspiring to read the background of women who helped changed the landscape of journalism for other women. For some, it meant sacrificing their careers. For others, their calling to journalism meant being married to the job. For me, the story allowed me to learn more about the women to whom I owe a huge debit of gratitude -- women who fought for my right to shape my career the way I want it to be. And they gave me the inspiration to continue my own work carving out what it is I want from a journalism career.

[Ashley Southall · Rating 4 out of 5]

About halfway through and absolutely loving her observant prose...More to come. ...APicked it back up and finished the week before the Abramson Affair. The public discussion that followed shined a light on the laundry we've cleaned as well as that soiled loads we still have left to finish.

[Clair · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love media history, and though I was initially confused by Robertson's choppy narrative, by the middle of the book it all made sense. This is an excellent, poignant, and at times funny story from all sides of a very difficult period in the history of the NY Times.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a woman in general it is a great book to know the inequalities they faced in the workforce. For an aspiring journalist in particular it shows how far the industry has come and hope for the future.

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this eons ago but it was such an eye-opener, especially as a woman in the business. Speaking truth to power is even harder when you're wearing a skirt. An interesting read.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic, and required reading from my editor.

[Gretchen · Rating 3 out of 5]

She digresses, just occasionally, but at length.

[Laney Becker]

A history of the women who worked at the New York Times and how like so many others, needed to bring a lawsuit against the paper in order to get equal treatment.

[Angelina]

I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/14677519