The Sentinel sat down with the President of the Georgia chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.
In an interview with the Georgia chapter president of the Society of Professional Journalists, she reflects on how she got to her position and advises young journalists to stand firm in their beliefs.
Laura J. Downey is the first black president of this chapter and is committed to advocating for people. Downey said she is honored to be a part of a historical moment after the chapter was established 10 years ago.
“The role carries an immense amount of significance to me,” she said. “It represents a step toward a greater diversity, equity and quality of journalism that we can hear from a whole different group of voices.”
Downey got her passion for journalism when she became an editor for her high school yearbook. She then continued this drive when attending Florida State majoring in Communication for Business.
“I came from a household where my mom didn’t go to college and my dad took community college courses but did not finish,” Downey said. “When it was my turn I thought ‘Go and go beyond’ and I had the thought to be the best in everything I say and do.”
Downey never thought she would be president of the chapter. She was still building connections with companies and people when the previous president, Nicolle Praino, allowed her to sit in on meetings and learn the motives of the president.
“I was inquisitive, it was a learning factor,” Downey said.
As the president, she spearheads everything dealing with the chapter but focuses on collaboration with her executive board and the community. Downey said she wants to help college journalism programs, aid in continuing education for new journalists and support free press.
Downey explained that she always pays attention to the details whether it was a caption for a photo or a headline, but said the most challenging part was proving herself.
“People have told me in a million arenas that I can’t do certain things…but you can do anything you want to do. You just have to block out the negativity and note who you keep in your close circle,” Downey said.
Downey shared that she surprises herself with how much she has accomplished in life, with this presidency being one of the top moments.
“When you hear so many people tell you that you can’t do something, when you do it’s like woah, you didn’t believe in me,” Downey said.
Beyond the presidency, she relies on her support system of friends and family to guide her into the next levels of her life.
“Before applying for the presidency role for SPJ, I had a sorority sister tell me ‘What do you lose? You win either way. Either you win the position or win if you don’t get it because at least you tried’,” Downey said.
She maintains a complicated schedule and finds time to pencil her friends and family in between her business meetings. Downey said that she wakes up early to work out and read her Bible to gain wisdom on the day in addition to playing basketball every week.
“In this new phase of life, I just celebrated a birthday, I’m going to give people more grace,” Downey said. “Realize that not everybody is going to meet certain expectations and instead of reacting negatively cut people some slack.”
Downey continues the tradition of the chapter president being a female after Praino stepped down, giving female journalists a role model to admire in a male-dominated industry.
“I think there is a double standard but I think that the more we stand up for ourselves and the more we push beyond barriers that have been set in place for us, the more we hit milestones that other people did not,” Downey said.
There is still a pay gap between male and female journalists and even minority writers. Forbes estimates that women still get paid 17% less than men, in regards to journalism.
Looking toward the rest of Downey’s presidency, ending in May 2025, journalists can hope that she will bring fresh ideas, diversity and advance college students in their careers.
