Happy birthday, Mary Ann Chick Whiteside
Here’s wishing the happiest of VizEds birthdays to Mary Ann Chick Whiteside, who recently took a buyout after nearly 40 years with The Flint (Mich.) Journal.
A 1977 graduate of Michigan State University, Mary Ann joined the Journal in 1978 as a copy editor. She later became a metro desk assistant — a job in which she produced 24 special sections a year. (Yikes!)
She became suburban editor in 1986 supervising 14 staffers and 32 free-lancers. After three years of that, she was promoted to regional editor. In that position, she ran a bureau, launched the Journal’s first electronic archive and developed a newsroom training program.
In 1994, Mary Ann became the Journal’s interactive media manager. She held that position a little more than 13-and-a-half years, until her buyout took effect lats month.
As if all that wasn’t enough, Mary Ann spent seven years as director of Genesee Free-Net, a nonprofit computer network based in Genesee, Mich., that offers low-cost internet access and assists other non-profits in coming online.
Find Mary Ann’s blog here. And here’s an article she wrote seven years ago about technology at her paper.
With time suddenly on her hands, Mary Ann has been wondering what’s next for her. She’s a talented and experienced editor and mentor and has online skills galore. She’s much too young to retire.
She was very supportive to me a few months ago when I was struggling with the change to my own job. I wish I could think of something helpful to say in return. I’ve sent a few messages her way, but the words that flew from my fingers have not been nearly as wise as what she sent my way.
All I can do, I guess, is send her my highest regards and best wishes. And, perhaps, give her a props on her birthday.
Mary Ann shares a birthday with musicians Joe Cocker, Cherilyn “Cher” Sarkisian, Jane Wiedlin (of the Go-Go’s) and rapper Busta Rhymes, actors Jimmy Stewart and Bronson Pinchot (”Balki” from Perfect Strangers) and Dolly Madison, the fourth first lady of the U.S.
Plus, today is Eliza Doolittle Day. Seriously. So think of that today, if you happen to notice the rain in Spain falling mainly on the plain.
Best wishes, Mary Ann, for a happy birthday!