Martin, Jackie, 1903-1969

Jackie Martin (1903-1969), woman photographer, writer, art director and editor, is an important figure in the early years of American journalism. During the twenties, while working for various Washington D.C. newspapers, Martin discovered her talent for photography which led to a decade-long (1930-40) career as art director, photographer and editor of the Washington Times-Herald, an around-the-clock publication. These hectic years produced an extensive photographic collection and earned Jackie Martin national recognition as a leading newspaper photographer. Her experience at the Times-Herald paved the way for a successful freelance career (1940-50)- she contributed to every major American magazine, published four books, and willingly accepted difficult assignments such as war correspondent in France and Italy, photographer for the Brazilian Air Force, and official photographer for America's first women's army, the WAAC.

• 1903: Born April 1 in Braddock, Pennsylvania, to Emma and Philip Martin. Birth name is Cecilia Barber Martin.
• 1918 - 1921 : Attended Eastern High School, Washington D.C.
• 1921 - 1922 : Office clerk and editor of store magazine at Kresge's. Salesperson and window decorator for Oppenheim's Shop.
• 1922 - 1923 : Attended Syracuse University for 1 year (Sep 1922-Jun 1923) on a sports scholarship as a pre-law major. Editorial staff of the University monthly the "Phoenix". Member of Delta Gamma Sorority. Established "Personal Service Co." to pay tuition. Assistant physical education director at Y.W.C.A. Camp in Altemont, New York. (Jun 1922-Jul 1923)
• 1923 - 1926 : Women's sports editor for Washington Times. (Oct 1923-May 1926)
• 1924: Member of Women's National Press Club.
• 1925 - 1926 : Society editor for Underwood & Underwood Photo News Service. Learned how to take photographs and became feature photographer also. (Jun 1925-May 1926)
• 1926: Became member of combined photo staff for Hearst Papers, Washington Times and Washington Herald. (Sep 1926-Dec 1926)
• 1927 - 1928 : Auditorium manager and publicity director for Arcadia Amusement Co., Washington D.C. Coach and manager of "Arcadians" girls basketball team. (Jan 1927-May 1928)
• 1928: Trained for 1/2 mile event for Olympics but was injured at tryouts. (Jun 1928-Aug 1928)
• 1928 - 1929 : Assistant society editor for Washington Herald. (Sep 1928-Mar 1929)
• 1929 - 1930 : Special Editions editor, feature news reporter and photographer for Washington Daily News. Assistant society editor when needed. (Mar 1929-Sep 1930)
• 1930 - 1932 : Feature editor and photographer for Washington Herald (Sep 1930-Nov 1932). Became picture editor also.
• 1933 - 1937 : Art director and picture editor for Washington Times and Washington Herald.
• 1933: Unofficial press attache to Ruth Bryan Owen, first woman minister to a foreign land. Traveled to Copenhagen. (Apr 1933-Jun 1933)
• 1935: Attended portrait session at Winona Lake School of Photography, Indiana. (Jun 1935-Aug 1935)
• 1935: Member of Newspaper Womens Club.
• 1936: Associate member of Royal Photographic Society, Great Britain.
• 1937: Washington Times and Herald combine. Photographic and art director for new Times-Herald.
• 1937 - 1938 : "Jackie in Movieland" photo-interview series in Hollywood.
• 1940: Resigned from Washington Times-Herald (Aug 4th) and began freelance career that lasted throughout the 1940's. Lectured nationally for two seasons. Advertising campaign for Chrysler Corporation.
• 1941: Toured Brazil with Alice Rogers Hager as guests of the Brazilian government.(Jun 1941-Sep 1941) Two books published: Frontier By Air (1942), Brazil: Giant To the South (1945). Received George Arents Medal, distinguished alumni award from Syracuse University (first non-graduate to do so).
• 1941 - 1942 : Established the photo department for the Chicago Sun's Washington Bureau. (Nov 1941-Jun 1942)
• 1941 - 1943 : Associate Editor for Woman's Home Companion. (Dec 1941-Apr 1943)
• 1942: Expert consultant to Secretary of War. First official photographer and public relations officer for the WAACs at Des Moines, Iowa. (Jul 1942-Dec 1942) Published Bars On Her Shoulders (1943)
• 1942: First female member of the White House News Photographers Association.
• 1944: War Correspondent in Italy and France accredited by Ladies Home Journal. (Jun 1944-Dec 1944)
• 1944 - 1945 : Wrote two unpublished manuscripts: "The Nurses: World War II", "Nurses In Action" ("Oh, Medic!").
• 1946: Feature editor and photographer for International News Photos (INP), Washington Bureau. (Jan 1946-Oct 1946) Received War Department Certificate of Merit and Theater Ribbon for war correspondence.
• 1946 - 1947 : Lectured with Colston Leigh Co. for 3 seasons (25 total).
• 1948 - 1949 : Published Washington: City of Destiny (1949) with Alice Rogers Hager.
• 1950 - 1956 : U.S. Foreign Service (United States Information Agency); Chief of 18-country photo operation for the Marshall Plan stationed in Paris. Editor of Marshall Plan European daily photo service. Resigned from Foreign Service (Nov 1956).
• 1955 - 1957 : Under USIA, planned and organized world-wide display of Edward Steichen's "Family of Man" Exhibit in Washington D.C.
• 1957 - 1962 : Vice president of sales and promotion for Norwood Studios in Washington D.C.
• 1957: Established own business, "Creative Communications".
• 1961: Received Order of the Southern Cross from Brazilian Government.
• 1963: Editorial consultant for "The Viewer". Received Delta Gamma Rose Award.
• 1963 - 1964 : Communications consultant for Delta Gamma Fraternity.
• 1966: Medal of Merit of Santos Dumont, Brazilian Air Force.
• 1967: Last government assignment as photographer for the American Battle Monuments Commission in Europe. (Oct 1967-Nov 1967)
• 1969: Died December 15, 1969.

From the guide to the Jackie Martin Papers, 1924-1968, (Special Collections Research Center, Syracuse University Libraries)