“Where’d the pregnant girl go? Did she leave?”
—Newsroom IT employee, commenting on the temporary absence of a long-time section editor out on maternity leave
June 2013
1 post
“She’d get pulled over because one, she looks like a Latina, and two, because she’s pretty and cops always like to mess with the pretty ones.”
—
Candidate for federal office during a stump speech
He literally singled me out in a room full of a hundred people, the submitter writes. Also, I’m Filipina, not Latina.
May 2013
64 posts
“Maybe you should bake cookies or something, and don’t be afraid to do a little flirting.”
—Reporter to news editor at a college newspaper, when discussing how to get more writers
“What, are you gonna ask me out on a date?”
—Male interviewee, when asked for his age
“You don’t look like a crime reporter.”
—
Associated Press bureau chief to a reporter during a visit to a local newspaper
Submitter responded: “I didn’t know crime reporters had to look certain way.”
“You’re a pretty girl… You should smile more.”
—Job interview advice from college newspaper adviser
“Oh, you’re hot. Oh, you’re such a sexy little woman.”
—Reader/source interested to learn what story a reporter was working on next.
“Your husband has his work cut out for him tonight!”
—City harbormaster, shaking female reporter’s half-frozen hand at the scene of a boating accident
“Did you get some cake, girly?”
—Male U.S. Senator’s first words upon approaching a 20-something female reporter
“I just wanted to get a better look at your legs.”
—
Police officer to reporter
Afterward, the submitter writes, I realized that this meant the cops had connected me to my car, which explained why I was often followed at night in the next few months while I was working on an investigative story.
“Are you here alone? Are you married? Do you have kids?”
—Random dude who approached a student photojournalist standing on a bridge in West Virginia
“Why are you calling me on a Friday night? You should be out finding a husband so you won’t need to work and can stay at home.”
—Police officer to local news reporter
“We won’t send a girl to Iraq.”
—Executive editor at state paper
“It’s so funny that women are allowed to work in television now.”
—Station owner to a news photographer and producer
“If you could just use some of your natural charm and gifts on him, I’d sure he’d be willing to say what you need him to.”
—
Missouri highway patrolman to public radio journalist
I later won a regional Edward R. Murrow award, the submitter writes, and never had to use any natural charm to get it.
“For the amazing joung (sic) blonde journalist who was sitting here: Love you gorgeus. Look around while you’re working, we want to catch your eye. <3”
—Anonymous note left for a female sports writer at her desk in the media center at world skiing championships
“I didn’t know we hired pretty designers.”
—Sports reporter to a semi-new designer at a party
“We were looking for someone to tell the story and you’re the bunny we picked.”
—Public relations man
“Oh, look at this beautiful little intern. I’ve been so mean to this beautiful little intern.”
—
Governor, to female newspaper intern, while holding said intern in something between a headlock and a hug after a press conference during which the governor mocked the newspaper
Submitter writes: Reporter was unable to muster the words to respond. But the governor later served time in federal prison for offenses that were uncovered by the newspaper.
“What size bra do you wear?”
—Lead guitarist during an interview
