Day Five: Women's Page History in 7 Objects

The fifth object that represents the women's pages is a reporter's notebook.

The women's page journalist with her reporter's notebook is Bobbi McCallum.

The most amazing reporter's notebook from a women's page journalist that I have read was the one that Vivian Castleberry kept the day that President Kennedy was assassinated. It is available at the Sixth Floor Museum in Dallas.

Vivian had been at the Trade Center and was waiting for the president to arrive. Word came that a shooting day occurred.

Rev. Luther Holcomb began to speak. Vivian wrote of his words, “We are relying upon the faith we possess.” The wife of Henry S. Miller spoke out and Vivian wrote it down: “Oh God. Isn’t it terrible? Isn’t it terrible?” The woman then broke into tears. Carol Calloway said, “I have been scared to death for him to come.” William H. Dickinson, Jr., said, “There are no words to express how we were feeling.” Mrs. Stanley Stemmers gasped and the tears began.” Joe H. Galman said, “My heart goes out for the widow and children of John Kennedy and for the family.”