Nancy Alene Hicks Maynard
(November 1, 1946 – September 21, 2008)
The first African-American female reporter for the New York Times
Education Long Island University
Stanford Law School
Nancy Alene Hicks Maynard held several significant roles during her illustrious career. She notably served as the initial owner of The Oakland Tribune and played a pivotal role as a co-founder of the Maynard Institute for Journalism Education. Furthermore, she achieved a groundbreaking milestone by becoming the first African-American female reporter for The New York Times. At the time of her passing, The Oakland Tribune stood as a unique entity in the media landscape, being the sole metropolitan daily newspaper owned by African Americans. Her enduring legacy is characterized by her pioneering efforts in advocating for increased diversity within newsrooms.
Born as Nancy Alene Hall in Harlem, New York City, to jazz bassist Alfred Hall and nurse Eve Keller, Maynard’s interest in journalism was sparked by the inadequate portrayal of her community following a fire that destroyed her elementary school. She pursued her passion by enrolling at Long Island University Brooklyn, where she earned a journalism degree in 1966.
Maynard began her journalism career as a copygirl and reporter at the New York Post. In September 1968, at the age of 21, she made history by joining The New York Times as the first African-American female reporter. Her early assignments included covering the Ocean Hill-Brownsville school decentralization controversy, a contentious issue that drew national attention due to allegations of racism and anti-Semitism, leading to a citywide teachers’ strike and the establishment of new school districts in New York City.
During her tenure at The New York Times, Maynard reported on significant race-related events, such as race riots and black student takeovers at Columbia and Cornell Universities. She also covered politically significant occurrences, including a memorial for Robert F. Kennedy. Later, she shifted her focus to the paper’s education and science news departments, where she primarily reported on healthcare topics. In 1973, she spent a month in China, examining its medical system and writing about acupuncture’s use in surgical operations. Her wide-ranging coverage included topics like the Medicare system, the arrangement of whiskers on a lion’s face, and in-depth reporting on the Apollo program.
In 1977, Maynard and her husband established the Maynard Institute for Journalism Education in Oakland, California, with Maynard serving as its inaugural president. In addition to her role at the institute, she also held a professorship in journalism at the University of Michigan in 1978. Over the years, the institute played a pivotal role in training and preparing numerous minority students for careers in journalism, including news editing and newsroom management. Maynard remained a dedicated board member until 2002.
In 1983, Nancy Maynard and her husband made a historic purchase when they acquired The Oakland Tribune, a struggling newspaper at the time. Under their co-leadership, The Oakland Tribune became the first major metropolitan daily newspaper owned by African Americans, a remarkable achievement in the industry. Together, they introduced a significant level of diversity to the newsroom. Following the passing of Robert C. Maynard in 1993, Nancy Maynard sold the paper due to declining revenues, eventually transferring ownership to ANG Newspapers.
On a personal note, Maynard was married to Daniel D. Hicks shortly after graduation, and they had a son named David. Tragically, Hicks passed away in 1974. In 1975, she married Robert C. Maynard, whom she met at a convention. Robert Maynard had a daughter named Dori, and together, they welcomed their third child, Alex. Robert Maynard’s battle with prostate cancer ultimately led to his passing in 1993. Subsequently, Nancy Maynard shifted her focus to consulting and book publishing.
In her later years, Nancy Maynard resided in Santa Monica, California, with her partner Jay T. Harris. She passed away at the age of 61, following an extended illness, at the UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles in 2008, leaving behind a remarkable legacy as a trailblazing journalist and advocate for diversity in newsrooms.
Nancy Alene Hicks Maynard’s legacy is a testament to her pioneering contributions to journalism and her tireless efforts to promote diversity and inclusion in newsrooms. Her impact on the field can be summarized as follows:
- Trailblazing Journalism: Nancy Maynard made history as the first African-American female reporter at The New York Times. Throughout her career, she covered critical race-related stories, significant political events, and a wide range of subjects, demonstrating her exceptional skills as a journalist.
- Diversity Advocate: Maynard was a dedicated advocate for diversifying newsrooms. Her work at the Maynard Institute for Journalism Education played a crucial role in training and preparing minority students for careers in journalism, helping to bridge the gap in representation within the industry.
- Ownership of The Oakland Tribune: Nancy and her husband’s historic purchase of The Oakland Tribune marked a significant milestone in journalism history. The newspaper became the first major metropolitan daily owned by African Americans, breaking down barriers and setting an example for greater diversity in media ownership.
- Commitment to Education: Beyond her journalistic accomplishments, Maynard’s dedication to education is evident through her professorship at the University of Michigan and her role in founding the Maynard Institute. Her commitment to nurturing the next generation of journalists left an indelible mark on the field.
- Personal Resilience: Throughout her life, Maynard faced personal challenges, including the loss of her first husband and the battle with prostate cancer that claimed her second husband’s life. Her resilience and determination in overcoming adversity serve as an inspiration to many.