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Oral History: Barbara Williams

Remembering eyewitnesses to history

Oral History of S.C. Newspapers

Barbara Williams

The Post and Courier
Charleston, SC

The first woman editor of a daily newspaper in South Carolina

Williams recalls being the only woman in the news room and what it was like reporting on government.

Video Interview

This video has been edited for length. If you’d like to listen to the full raw audio from our interview with Barbara Williams, contact SCPA.

Photo Gallery

Barbara Williams
Barbara Williams
Barbara Williams (center) with the staffs of The Evening Post and The News and Courier celebrating William's winning the Press Association's Outstanding Newspaper Woman of the Year Award.
Barbara Williams (center) with the staffs of The Evening Post and The News and Courier celebrating William's winning the Press Association's Outstanding Newspaper Woman of the Year Award.
Statehouse press conference with Bobby Kennedy.
Statehouse press conference with Bobby Kennedy.
Barbara Williams in 1991, after becoming the first female editor of The Post and Courier.
Barbara Williams in 1991, after becoming the first female editor of The Post and Courier.
Williams introducing columnist Paul Greenberg, the featured speaker at The Post and Courier's 200th birthday celebration in 2003.
Williams introducing columnist Paul Greenberg, the featured speaker at The Post and Courier's 200th birthday celebration in 2003.
Williams interviewing Gov. John West during a visit to the newly opened Charles Towne Landing, a tricentennial focus
Williams interviewing Gov. John West during a visit to the newly opened Charles Towne Landing, a tricentennial focus.
Williams talking with Gov. Robert McNair, along with Doug Donehue, Williams' former managing editor.
Williams talking with Gov. Robert McNair, along with Doug Donehue, Williams' former managing editor.
Being presented the 1973 Byliner Award from the Central Chapter Sigma Delta Chi by Columbia radio broadcaster Jay Latham and Kent Krell of The State.
Being presented the 1973 Byliner Award from the Central Chapter Sigma Delta Chi by Columbia radio broadcaster Jay Latham and Kent Krell of The State.
Williams at her desk in The News and Courier newsroom more than 40 years ago, doubtlessly interviewing yet another politician.
Williams at her desk in The News and Courier newsroom more than 40 years ago, doubtlessly interviewing yet another politician.

Related Links

Biography

Born: Kentucky

Newspaper History:

  • The News and Courier
  • Camden (N.J.) Courier Post
  • The Evening Post
  • The Post and Courier

Honors and Awards:

  • President of the National Conference of Editorial Writers
  • Byliner Award from the Central Chapter Sigma Delta Chi
  • South Carolina Newspaper Woman of the Year
  • South Carolina Hospital Association Press Award

Education:

  • University of Tennessee, BS in Journalism
  • Attended UT College of Law
  • Honorary Doctor of Journalism from The Citadel

Family: Married for 49 years to the late Charleston artist, Manning Williams

SCPA's oral history project is dedicated to preserving the heritage of our state's journalists and newspapers.

View other interviews

This program is funded by the South Carolina Humanities Council, whose mission is to enrich the cultural and intellectual lives of all South Carolinians. This program is co-sponsored by the University of South Carolina’s School of Journalism and Mass Communications.