George McElroy (journalist)
George McElroy | |
---|---|
Born | George Albert McElroy May 25, 1922 Sigma Delta Chi, Omega Psi Phi |
Known for | First African American to receive a Master of Journalism degree from the University of Missouri |
Notable credit(s) | Pioneer of African American journalists, columnist for the Houston Informer and Houston Post, Head of the Journalism Department at Texas Southern University |
Spouses | Maxine Prudhomme
(m. 1940–1946)Lucinda Martin (m. 1950–1995) |
Children | 5 daughters; including Kathleen |
Awards | Lifetime Achievement |
George Albert McElroy (May 25, 1922 – October 7, 2006) was an American journalist. Born in Houston, Texas, he served in the United States Armed Forces before pursuing a career in journalism. Among many "firsts" achieved by McElroy, he became the first African American to earn a master's degree in journalism from the School of Journalism at the University of Missouri.[1]
Early life
George McElroy was born 25 May 1922 in Houston, Texas to Hugh George McElroy and Philomena McElroy.
Education and fight against segregation
After he was
McElroy received a
Journalism career
In 1937, McElroy landed a job as a youth column writer at the Informer, the oldest African-American newspaper in Texas. He was paid $3 per column. Throughout his off-and-on 58-year tenure with the newspaper, he functioned in virtually every capacity of running the periodical. He retired in 1996, but served as Editor Emeritus until his death in 2006.[9][10]
After graduation from the University of Missouri, McElroy considered several job offers and accepted a position as a "colored sports" writer for the now-defunct Houston Post daily newspaper in 1954[11] and in 1956, he became a weekly columnist.[10][12] He was the first black reporter and the first black columnist at the paper which, at that time, was the largest morning newspaper in Texas.[13] In spite of his position as a regular columnist, his likeness in the paper above his column was a black and white sketch of his image as opposed to photos as presented for his white counterparts at the paper.[8]
In response to question to him c. 1970 from a reader of his column, McElroy responded:[8]
The world, the nation, the state, the city are all multicolored, as in a rainbow and multiracial. A professional journalist simply cannot afford to reside in a racial-isolation ward. He must travel and he must converse and he must observe and he must be curious.
In 1960, during an annual meeting of the Houston Press Club, the club presented a skit portraying the year's presidential candidates. (McElroy was the first African American member of the club). Local television reporter
Also in 1960, thirteen students from Texas Southern, led by Eldrewey Stearns, held a sit-in at the counter at a Houston area Weingarten store in protest of segregation using a model laid out by experienced sit-in students at Fisk University. In planning how to attract press coverage for the sit-in, they contacted McElroy for input who committed to send a photographer from The Informer and advised on calling the police themselves. This tip proved to be instrumental in the protest. Over 100 people eventually participated in the protest which ended peacefully. The Houston television and printed press coverage dubbed the event as the "first sit-in west of the Mississippi."[16]
McElroy also served as the Texas correspondent for
In a 2000 interview, McElroy stressed the continued need for black press, stressing that African Americans are closer to the issues concerning their own community. He also credited the black press for being first in bringing the effects of crack cocaine into the limelight, long before it was deemed an issue in mainstream media.[17]
We cover issues that the major dailies don't see or fail to see. We're closer to problems and concerns in our community. We see them first.
Teaching career
Simultaneously with his journalism career, McElroy taught journalism in the Houston area for over four decades.[8]
- HISD: Phyllis Wheatley High School
- HISD: Jack Yates High School (1957-1969)[2][18]
- Chairman of the Journalism Department
- Sponsored the "Andrew Hatcher Journalism Club", named after President John Kennedy's press secretary[19]
- University of Houston - professor of journalism for four years[20]
- Texas Southern University - retired in 1989
- Chair of the Journalism Department
- Professor of Journalism
Firsts and honors
Firsts
George McElroy was a pioneer for African Americans in the field of journalism. Throughout his life he became the first African American:
- to earn a master's degree in journalism from the Missouri School of Journalism at the University of Missouri.
- to write for the Houston Post.
- with a journalism degree to teach journalism in the Houston Independent School District.
- initiated into the Texas Gulf Coast chapter of Sigma Delta Chi, the national journalism fraternity.[21]
- member of the Houston Press Club[9]
- to teach journalism at the University of Houston[20]
- to win first place from the Texas Gulf Coast Press Association (for his editorials in the Informer).[2]
McElroy was also the first minority of any race to have a regular column in a Houston newspaper[14][22]
Honors
Throughout his life, McElroy received over 100 awards and honors[8] including:
- 2021: Headliners Foundation Scholarship (posthumous honor)
McElroy is the first person of color honored with a scholarship at this foundation [23]
- 2006: Houston Association of Black Journalists (HABJ) - Lifetime achievement Award (September 2006)[24]
- 2000: Golden Pen Award from the Black Heritage Society (for individuals making significant contributions to African American Heritage)[15]
- 1977: "George McElroy Week" was proclaimed by Houston mayor Fred Hofheinz.
- 1964: Co-director of the first annual High School Reporters' Conference, held at Prairie View A&M University[25]
Scholarships
Several journalism-related scholarships have been named in honor of George McElroy's contributions to journalism, including:
- The Press Club of Houston Educational Foundation - George McElroy Distinguished Lifetime Achievement Scholarship ($1,000)[26][27]
- Houston Association of Black Journalists - George McElroy Scholarship[28]
Other affiliations
- Member of Omega Psi Phi
- President of the Houston Breakfast Club[2]
- President of the Press Club of Houston
Military service
From 1940 to 1943, McElroy served in the
In 1973, McElroy was commissioned by Texas Governor Dolph Briscoe to serve as an admiral in the state's navy. He declined the commission opting to continue his journalism career.[2]
Personal life
McElroy was first married to the late Maxine Prudhomme. They had one child, Madeline.[Note 2] His second marriage was to Air Force veteran Lucinda Martin in 1950 with whom he had four more daughters, Toni, Linda, Kathleen and Sherridan. George and Lucinda were married nearly 45 years until her death in 1995. [8] [Note 3]
In 2006, McElroy was hospitalized with respiratory illness. In September 2006, McElroy received word that he would be honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Houston Association of Black Journalists at their 20th Annual Scholarship Gala. Although receiving medical treatment at the time, McElroy received permission from his attending physicians, and attended the event. McElroy received his award and gave his acceptance speech. Shortly after the event, McElroy fell gravely ill with acute pneumonia and died on October 6. His funeral services were held at St. Mary of the Purification Catholic Church and his remains were interred at Houston National Cemetery in Houston, Texas.[2][31]
See also
Notes
- ^ Gov. George Wallace is best known for his infamous attempt to block the de-segregation of the University of Alabama and four elementary schools in defiance of federal mandates. Webb, Debbie. "Wallace in the Schoolhouse Door: Marking the 40th Anniversary of Alabama's Civil Rights Standoff". NPR.org. Retrieved 17 August 2012.
- ^ McElroy's children followed in his journalistic footsteps. In April 2023, Madeline Johnson retired from her position Producer/Director of Radio for the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston after 45 years in the position. Radio Ministry at the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston Archived 2014-08-03 at the Wayback Machine
- New York Times from 1991-2011. Texas A&M Former Journalism Students Association
References
- ^ "George McElroy, columnist and reporter, dies". NBC News. October 16, 2006. Archived from the original on December 16, 2019. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "George Albert McElroy Obituary: View George McElroy's Obituary by Houston Chronicle". Legacy.com. Retrieved 2012-08-16.
- ^ a b Pitre, Merline. "McElroy, George Albert". Texas State Historical Association.
- ^ Serbino Sandifer-Walker (2006-10-15). "George McElroy: A storyteller, history maker". Houston Chronicle. Chron.com. Retrieved 2012-08-16.
- ^ Sarah Viren and Alexis Grant (9 October 2006). "Pioneering black columnist George McElroy dies". Houston Chronicle.
- ISBN 978-0-292-72200-2.
- ^ a b "Brickfish Social Media: George McElroy". Brickfish.com. Archived from the original on 2013-01-18. Retrieved 2012-08-16.
- ^ a b c d e f "Pioneering black columnist George McElroy dies - Houston Chronicle". Chron.com. 2006-10-09. Retrieved 2012-08-16.
- ^ a b Stunson, Charles. "Fairchild's case: Minority Entrepreneurs" (PDF). Darden School Foundation. University of Virginia. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 16 August 2012.
- ^ a b c "Pioneering black journalist McElroy dies at age 84". Baystate-banner.com. 2006-10-12. Retrieved 2012-08-16.
- ISBN 0-9635720-4-0.
- ^ "Insight - Houston Chronicle Classroom - A true pioneer: Newsman and mentor George McElroy inspired many area black journalists". My.hsj.org. Archived from the original on 2013-04-15. Retrieved 2012-08-16.
- ^ "Jet Stringer's Article in Columbia U. Journal". Jet Magazine. 28 (1): 44. 15 April 1965. Retrieved 17 August 2012.
- ^ a b c "43rd Gridiron Show to honor journalists McElroy, Murray". Houston Chronicle. 1994-07-31. Retrieved 2012-08-16.
- ^ a b Vaughn, Carol E. (20 September 2000). "Honors for a journalist / McElroy receives Golden Pen Award". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved 17 August 2012.
- ISBN 978-0-292-71198-3.
- ^ Owens, Reginald (2000). The Journal for Multi-Media History: The Black Press. New York, New York: University at Albany, State University of New York.
- ^ "Jet Correspondent is Co-Director of Texas Confab". Jet Magazine. 26 (1): 52. 16 April 1964. Retrieved 16 August 2012.
- ^ "Texas writing students honor Andrew Hatcher". Jet Magazine. 19 (17). Johnson Publishing Company: 49. 16 February 1961. Retrieved 16 August 2012.
- ^ a b "News 2 - The Daily Cougar Online". Archive.thedailycougar.com. 2006-10-16. Retrieved 2012-08-16.
- ^ "Jet Correspondent in Tex. in Journalism Frat". Jet. 26 (6): 47. 21 May 1964. Retrieved 16 August 2012.
- ISBN 1-58261-600-0.
- ^
- 2020: Texas Newspaper Hall of Fame - Class of 2020 (posthumous honor)"Headliners Foundation - George McElroy Scholarship". Texas Press Association. May 2021. Retrieved May 25, 2021.
- ^ James T. Campbell (2006-10-22). "About: Chron: Thank you, 'Mr. Mac': I was one who you inspired - Houston Chronicle". Chron. Retrieved 2012-08-16.
- ^ "Jet Correspondent is Co-Director of Texas Confab". Jet Magazine. 26 (1): 52. 14 April 1964. Retrieved 17 August 2012.
- ^ "Press Club Scholarship 1994". Archived from the original on 2016-03-05. Retrieved 2012-08-17.
- ^ Press Club Scholarship 1995
- ^ HABJ Scholarship
- ^ George McElroy on Ancestry.com
- ^ "Lucinda M McElroy Houston TX Houston National Cemetery". Locategrave.org. Archived from the original on 2013-04-15. Retrieved 2012-08-16.
- ^ "George Albert McElroy Houston TX Houston National Cemetery". Locategrave.org. 1922-05-25. Archived from the original on 2013-04-15. Retrieved 2012-08-16.
External links
- Image of George McElroy from The Houston Chronicle
- McElroy, George and Veronica Perry. George McElroy Oral History Archived 2013-11-04 at the Wayback Machine, Houston Oral History Project, September 14, 1974
- Houston Association of Black Journalists
- Black Heritage Society