Jean Laura Stead, journalist

Jean Stead joined the Guardian newspaper staff in October 1963, serving as a reporter until November 1966 when she became deputy news editor to John Cole.

In 1970 she became news editor, one of the first women in Fleet Street to hold such a role. She became assistant editor in 1974, a post she held until 1978. From late 1978 to 1983 she was assistant editor of special features.

In 1983 she became the Guardian’s Scottish correspondent, reporting notably on the miners’ strike of 1984-1985. The miners’ strike was the subject of her book ‘Never the Same Again: Women and the Miners’ Strike’ published in 1987. She held the post of Scottish correspondent post until her retirement in May 1988.