THAT’S LIFE

Hale-Shelton remembers a time when newspapers didn’t even try to hide discrimination.

“The three will discuss the progress women have made in the industry and the problems that still exist.”

When the #MeToo movement was reignited (it really started in 2006), I found myself reliving lots of situations I had faced throughout my career, which started when I was just 20 years old. I wrote about one incident in a column after thinking for years about sharing the story.

I was touched inappropriately by a source during an interview for a story. I just happened to be pregnant with my first child, too. The man, who has since died, was a psychologist. I still regret that I didn’t call his professional board.

That column hit a nerve with so many women. I’ve never gotten so many emails about anything I’ve written, and women shared with me their stories of sexual assault that were much worse than mine. Some women said I was the only person they’d ever told. Ever.

That’s why I’m still passionate about my job after all these years. I love to tell other people’s stories and bring about change or understanding, or right a wrong. There is such a thing as truth, and it makes a difference.

Women are talking; people are listening. We’re a force to be reckoned with, and I am proud to be part of the conversation.