Jill Abramson opens up about the New York Times: "Is it hard to say I was fired? No"

Abramson's advice to young women: Don't feel stigmatized if you're fired -- especially in this economy

Published July 15, 2014 9:29PM (EDT)

Jill Abramson              (AP/Evan Agostini)
Jill Abramson (AP/Evan Agostini)

Writing over at Cosmopolitan, Jill Abramson addressed her unceremonious ouster after becoming the first woman to serve as executive editor at the New York Times ("the loudness of the coverage was surprising"), what she did next (boxed, watched Yankees games), her advice to aspiring journalists ("master the basics of really good storytelling") and how to get yourself paid in an industry that is pretty bad about paying a lot of people ("become a confident negotiator").

Abramson also addressed her apparent misandry (remember that?):

When I was managing editor, for the first time the masthead [the list of top editors at the Times] was half women, but it was because they were great and they deserved it. I am totally proud of that. A couple of times I had to explain that to men. I think there was some surprise at the speed at which some women got promoted.

And sexism in media:

Of course I experienced sexism early on. I remember being in story sessions, and so many times, I would have an idea and I would talk about it. Then the convener of the meeting would say, "And as Jerry was just saying ..." and they would remember the idea as coming from a male colleague. I didn't pipe up in real time. I did grouse about it with other women in the office, which in some ways is safer and more cowardly but is very comforting and kind of gratifying.

And a lot of other really interesting stuff. You can check it out over at Cosmopolitan.


By Katie McDonough

Katie McDonough is Salon's politics writer, focusing on gender, sexuality and reproductive justice. Follow her on Twitter @kmcdonovgh or email her at kmcdonough@salon.com.

MORE FROM Katie McDonough


Related Topics ------------------------------------------

Gender Gender Discrimination Jill Abramson New York Times Sexism Sexism In Media Women In Media