Dickinson, Joan Younger, 1916-

Joan Younger was born in Columbus, Ohio in 1917. She graduated from Ohio State University in 1937. She began her career in journalism as a reporter in Paris for the "Trans-Radio Press." At the outbreak of World War II, Younger joined the United Press in New York City. Many of her stories dealt with women abroad and in the United States, and headliners in politics, film and mass media. In 1947, she married William B. Dickinson. They had two children. They moved to Philadelphia where he joined the "Philadelphia Evening Bulletin," and she joined the staff of the "Ladies Home Journal," where she would continue to work into the 1960s. She wrote several books including, "The Stork and You," "Mental Illness Begins at Home," "The Book of Pearls," and "The Book of Diamonds." She earned a Ph. D in 1975 from the University of Pennsylvania, and she retired in 1980 and moved to Florida after the death of her husband. She wrote her memoirs, "Girl Reporter, Wartime New York." She died in 2002 in Fort Meyers, Florida.

From the description of Joan Younger Dickinson papers, 1939-1999. (University of Wyoming, American Heritage Center). WorldCat record id: 52454877

Joan Younger was born in Columbus, Ohio, in 1917. She spent her childhood and teenager years growing up in Columbus and then graduated from Ohio State University in 1937. She began her career in journalism in Paris as a reporter for Trans-Radio Press. After the outbreak of Word War II, Younger became a reporter in New York City for United Press, now United Press International. Joan Younger Merrick’s interviews focused primarily on famous women abroad and in the United States, headliners in politics, film and mass media, and fashion. Joan Younger married William Merrick in 1940. They had one daughter before the marriage ended.

In 1947, Joan Younger married William B. Dickinson, a foreign editor for United Press. She moved with him to Philadelphia in 1949 when he became an editor at the Philadelphia Evening Bulletin . He eventually became the Bulletin’s executive editor.

In Philadelphia, she joined the staff of the Ladies’ Home Journal and remained at the magazine until the 1960s, writing articles on ordinary women as well as women of fame. Politicians, movie stars, murders, industrial tycoons, and war heroes were among her others subjects for interviews and articles. She answered questions about women’s health problems for the column, “Tell Me Doctor.” Joan Younger Dickinson wrote many articles about women balancing motherhood with a career. Her books include The Stork and You, Mental Illness Begins at Home, The Book of Pearls, and The Book of Diamonds .

Joan Younger Dickinson earned a M.A. (1966) and Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania (1975). Her book, The Immigrant Woman Worker, was based on her doctoral dissertation.

Upon retirement by 1980, Joan Younger Dickinson moved to Florida where she wrote her memoirs, Girl Reporter, Wartime New York . The Dickinson family consisted of a son and daughter from Mr. Dickinson’s first marriage, a daughter from Joan Younger’s first marriage, and two daughters from the Dickinson marriage. William B. Dickinson died in 1978. Joan Younger Dickinson died June 4, 2002, at her home in Fort Myers, Florida.

From the guide to the Joan Younger Dickinson papers, 1939-1999, (University of Wyoming. American Heritage Center.)