Eldora Marie Bolyard Nuzum
Encyclopedia
Eldora Marie Bolyard Nuzum (1926–2004) was a American newspaper editor and journalist who interviewed several United States presidents. She was born in Grafton, West Virginia
to Roy Everett Bolyard (1901–1983) and Georgia Ellen Deavers Bolyard (1909–1994). Eldora Nuzum started her newspaper career in the 1940s at the daily newspaper, The Grafton Sentinel. In 1946 she became editor at a young age of 20 years and served in that capacity for six years.
It was 1953 when Nuzum arrived at The Inter-Mountain
, also a daily newspaper produced in Elkins, West Virginia
(Ogden Newspapers Inc.), where she later guided that paper as editor for 32 years. Upon her retirement in 1992, she was named Editor Emerita until her death in 2004.
wife of William Rowland Whyte, Jr. Eldora and Jack Nuzum had two sons, Jefferson Patton Nuzum husband of Carrie Gould Nuzum and Jon Cedric Nuzum husband of Diane Raszkowski Nuzum, and two grandchildren, Lydia Ann Marie Nuzum and Derek Warren Nuzum.
Eldora Nuzum was the wife of Judge Jack Robert Nuzum
(1921–1998) who was also born in Grafton, West Virginia. He served as Circuit Judge of Randolph County in West Virginia and was a two-term state legislator representing Taylor and Randolph counties in the West Virginia Legislature
, as well a being a law partner of former West Virginia Governor Herman G. Kump
.
on October 16, 1949, at Grafton, West Virginia as he passed through town by train. She interviewed former President Truman again in 1962 at the Mountain State Forest Festival in Elkins, West Virginia. Her White House "Invitation Only" interview with President Jimmy Carter
on December 1, 1978 is on record during an era when a small number of news representatives from various areas of the country were asked to visit the White House as part of his press program. She was one of a few females interviewing leaders during that era as the doors were opening to female journalists. That interview is recorded as part of The American Presidency Project.
One interview published as part of "The American Presidency Project" has Nuzum stating, "Mr. President... I know you're cutting back on spending the next year, but the Appalachian Regional Commission
Act has built roads in West Virginia, schools and hospitals. We feel that this is an investment, and it is very important to our people in 13 states. Are you planning on cutting in this direction?" President Carter answered, "I can't answer that question yet. I might say that I was Chair of the Appalachian Regional Commission when I was Governor of Georgia... it will be treated fairly." She also interviewed President Richard Nixon
October 8, 1971 at the Mountain State Forest Festival and President George H.W. Bush at another invitational press meeting in Washington, D.C.
Serving as an editor of a daily newspaper in the 1940s in West Virginia, during a time when women mostly aspired to society writing, was a notable accomplishment. Eldora Nuzum received accolades during her lifetime being recognized by numerous groups. Posthumously, in 2009, she was named to the West Virginia Press Association Hall of Fame.The West Virginia Encyclopedia, used by students studying West Virginia History in the state, also recorded the fact she broke ground for women journalists as the first female editor of a daily newspaper in West Virginia.
Eldora Nuzum was the first female to be an Editor-in-Chief of a regularly published daily newspaper in the state, as written by J. Richard Torren in the early 1970s.
In 1965-67, Eldora Nuzum was elected President of United Press International
(UPI) Editors of West Virginia. At that time, she was Editor of The Inter-Mountain and the only female editor in the state association. "The group representing 23 daily newspapers (in West Virginia) went on record as strongly opposed to secrecy in government and in favor of "open meetings" of government boards, commissions, and other agencies." Through the years, Nuzum was very involved with the Associated Press
(AP) also, as her newspaper and several other publications in West Virginia affiliated with AP, one of the major media forces in the United States and internationally.
Eldora Nuzum gained national notice in 1974, when the The Inter-Mountain facilities burned to the ground and she promised not to miss an edition. The story, reported nationally and carried in The Miami Herald, said that the building and equipment were gone except for one camera with no film. The staff had literally escaped with only their lives. However, the newspaper was still alive and the next day's edition would be published. Editor Nuzum kept her promise and with support of the Ogden Newspaper chain and loyal employees, a temporary newsroom was established and the paper was printed for a short time in a neighboring town. Not one employee lost a job or paycheck and the promise was kept as subscribers received a newspaper the very next day on schedule. Paul Harvey, the famous radio personality, featured a story about "The Newspaper that Did Not Die in the Fire" to praise perseverance, creativity, and dedication in his "Rest of the Story" commentaries. One of Nuzum's often repeated statements was "this is what we have created today" as the staff admired daily editions.
Grafton, West Virginia
Grafton is a city in, and county seat of, Taylor County, West Virginia, USA. The population was 5,489 at the 2000 census. The only two national cemeteries in West Virginia are located in Grafton. Mother's Day was founded in Grafton on May 10, 1908; the city is the home to the International Mother's...
to Roy Everett Bolyard (1901–1983) and Georgia Ellen Deavers Bolyard (1909–1994). Eldora Nuzum started her newspaper career in the 1940s at the daily newspaper, The Grafton Sentinel. In 1946 she became editor at a young age of 20 years and served in that capacity for six years.
It was 1953 when Nuzum arrived at The Inter-Mountain
The Inter-Mountain
The Inter-Mountain is an afternoon daily newspaper serving Central West Virginia and is headquartered in Elkins. As of 2006, its circulation was quoted at 11,000....
, also a daily newspaper produced in Elkins, West Virginia
Elkins, West Virginia
Elkins is a city in Randolph County, West Virginia, United States. The community was incorporated in 1890 and named in honor of Stephen Benton Elkins , a U.S. Senator from West Virginia. The population was 7,032 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Randolph County...
(Ogden Newspapers Inc.), where she later guided that paper as editor for 32 years. Upon her retirement in 1992, she was named Editor Emerita until her death in 2004.
Background
Born in Grafton, West Virginia to Roy Everett Bolyard (1901–1983) and Georgia Ellen Deavers Bolyard (1909–1994), Eldora Nuzum (1926–2004) had three siblings, two sisters and one brother: Vonda Jean Bolyard Norris wife of Clyde Dale Norris; Robert Glen Bolyard husband of Jacqueline Louise Westfall Bolyard; and Dr. Cassandra B. WhyteCassandra B. Whyte
Cassandra Bolyard Whyte is an American higher education administrator, teacher, and educational researcher. She is recognized for publication and leadership in the areas of higher education management, improving academic performance of students, campus planning and safety, predicting educational...
wife of William Rowland Whyte, Jr. Eldora and Jack Nuzum had two sons, Jefferson Patton Nuzum husband of Carrie Gould Nuzum and Jon Cedric Nuzum husband of Diane Raszkowski Nuzum, and two grandchildren, Lydia Ann Marie Nuzum and Derek Warren Nuzum.
Eldora Nuzum was the wife of Judge Jack Robert Nuzum
Jack Robert Nuzum
Jack Robert Nuzum served several years as Circuit Judge representing Randolph County in Elkins, West Virginia from 1976-1991. Prior to that, he was also a legislator, for Taylor County, West Virginia and then, neighboring Randolph County, West Virginia in the West Virginia Legislature as a...
(1921–1998) who was also born in Grafton, West Virginia. He served as Circuit Judge of Randolph County in West Virginia and was a two-term state legislator representing Taylor and Randolph counties in the West Virginia Legislature
West Virginia Legislature
The West Virginia Legislature is the state legislature of the U.S. state of West Virginia. A bicameral legislative body, the Legislature is split between the upper Senate and the lower House of Delegates. It was established under Article VI of the West Virginia Constitution following the state's...
, as well a being a law partner of former West Virginia Governor Herman G. Kump
Herman G. Kump
Herman Guy Kump was the Democratic Governor of West Virginia from 1933 to 1937. In 1907, he married Edna Hall Scott. He served as the 19th Governor of West Virginia during the Great Depression.-Early years:...
.
Career
Throughout her years in the journalism field, Eldora Nuzum served as a mentor for many young reporters and interviewed U.S. Senators, Governors, and U.S. Presidents, beginning with a whistlestop tour interview with President Harry S. TrumanHarry S. Truman
Harry S. Truman was the 33rd President of the United States . As President Franklin D. Roosevelt's third vice president and the 34th Vice President of the United States , he succeeded to the presidency on April 12, 1945, when President Roosevelt died less than three months after beginning his...
on October 16, 1949, at Grafton, West Virginia as he passed through town by train. She interviewed former President Truman again in 1962 at the Mountain State Forest Festival in Elkins, West Virginia. Her White House "Invitation Only" interview with President Jimmy Carter
Jimmy Carter
James Earl "Jimmy" Carter, Jr. is an American politician who served as the 39th President of the United States and was the recipient of the 2002 Nobel Peace Prize, the only U.S. President to have received the Prize after leaving office...
on December 1, 1978 is on record during an era when a small number of news representatives from various areas of the country were asked to visit the White House as part of his press program. She was one of a few females interviewing leaders during that era as the doors were opening to female journalists. That interview is recorded as part of The American Presidency Project.
One interview published as part of "The American Presidency Project" has Nuzum stating, "Mr. President... I know you're cutting back on spending the next year, but the Appalachian Regional Commission
Appalachian Regional Commission
The Appalachian Regional Commission is a United States federal-state partnership that works with the people of Appalachia to create opportunities for self-sustaining economic development and improved quality of life...
Act has built roads in West Virginia, schools and hospitals. We feel that this is an investment, and it is very important to our people in 13 states. Are you planning on cutting in this direction?" President Carter answered, "I can't answer that question yet. I might say that I was Chair of the Appalachian Regional Commission when I was Governor of Georgia... it will be treated fairly." She also interviewed President Richard Nixon
Richard Nixon
Richard Milhous Nixon was the 37th President of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1974. The only president to resign the office, Nixon had previously served as a US representative and senator from California and as the 36th Vice President of the United States from 1953 to 1961 under...
October 8, 1971 at the Mountain State Forest Festival and President George H.W. Bush at another invitational press meeting in Washington, D.C.
Serving as an editor of a daily newspaper in the 1940s in West Virginia, during a time when women mostly aspired to society writing, was a notable accomplishment. Eldora Nuzum received accolades during her lifetime being recognized by numerous groups. Posthumously, in 2009, she was named to the West Virginia Press Association Hall of Fame.The West Virginia Encyclopedia, used by students studying West Virginia History in the state, also recorded the fact she broke ground for women journalists as the first female editor of a daily newspaper in West Virginia.
Eldora Nuzum was the first female to be an Editor-in-Chief of a regularly published daily newspaper in the state, as written by J. Richard Torren in the early 1970s.
In 1965-67, Eldora Nuzum was elected President of United Press International
United Press International
United Press International is a once-major international news agency, whose newswires, photo, news film and audio services provided news material to thousands of newspapers, magazines and radio and television stations for most of the twentieth century...
(UPI) Editors of West Virginia. At that time, she was Editor of The Inter-Mountain and the only female editor in the state association. "The group representing 23 daily newspapers (in West Virginia) went on record as strongly opposed to secrecy in government and in favor of "open meetings" of government boards, commissions, and other agencies." Through the years, Nuzum was very involved with the Associated Press
Associated Press
The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
(AP) also, as her newspaper and several other publications in West Virginia affiliated with AP, one of the major media forces in the United States and internationally.
Eldora Nuzum gained national notice in 1974, when the The Inter-Mountain facilities burned to the ground and she promised not to miss an edition. The story, reported nationally and carried in The Miami Herald, said that the building and equipment were gone except for one camera with no film. The staff had literally escaped with only their lives. However, the newspaper was still alive and the next day's edition would be published. Editor Nuzum kept her promise and with support of the Ogden Newspaper chain and loyal employees, a temporary newsroom was established and the paper was printed for a short time in a neighboring town. Not one employee lost a job or paycheck and the promise was kept as subscribers received a newspaper the very next day on schedule. Paul Harvey, the famous radio personality, featured a story about "The Newspaper that Did Not Die in the Fire" to praise perseverance, creativity, and dedication in his "Rest of the Story" commentaries. One of Nuzum's often repeated statements was "this is what we have created today" as the staff admired daily editions.