Soma Golden Behr, Trailblazing Editor at The New York Times, Dies at 84
Soma Golden Behr, a pioneering figure in journalism who spent decades at The New York Times championing stories about poverty, race, and class, passed away on Sunday in Manhattan at the age of 84. She was a driving force behind several award-winning series that explored the complexities of American society, including the Pulitzer Prize-winning "How Race Is Lived in America" and "Children of the Shadows." Behr’s dedication to social justice and her powerful voice advocating for marginalized communities left an indelible mark on journalism and the public understanding of America’s social landscape.
Key Takeaways:
- A Legacy of Impact: Behr’s career spanned over three decades at The New York Times, where her leadership and insightful reporting shaped crucial national conversations about race, class, and poverty.
- Award-Winning Journalism: Her work as a senior editor played a pivotal role in the development of groundbreaking series like "How Race Is Lived in America" and "Children of the Shadows," which won Pulitzer Prizes and brought vital issues to the forefront of national attention.
- A Champion for Equality: Behr’s commitment to social justice extended beyond her work at the Times. She spearheaded the New York Times College Scholarship Program and founded Scholarship Plus to provide educational opportunities to students facing socioeconomic barriers.
- A Pioneer for Women in Journalism: As one of the first women to lead the national desk and appear on the masthead of The New York Times, Behr paved the way for other women in the field.
Soma Golden Behr’s career was a testament to her unwavering commitment to uncovering truth and amplifying the voices of the marginalized. She believed in the power of journalism to effect positive change, and her work ultimately challenged societal norms and gave voice to the silenced.
Behr’s passionate approach to journalism resonated deeply with her colleagues, who recall her infectious energy and unwavering pursuit of impactful storytelling. "She wasn’t an editor who said we need x to write y," said Jonathan Landman, a former deputy managing editor of The Times. “She’d say, ‘We gotta think about housing!’ What would then come after that was interesting conversations and memos, and she’d get people thinking thematically in ways that were different. It was something.”
Behr’s journalistic prowess was evident in her ability to rally teams of reporters and photographers for intensive, often yearlong, projects. One such example is the “How Race Is Lived in America” series, undertaken with Gerald M. Boyd, who later became the first Black managing editor at The Times. This groundbreaking work, published in 2000, took a deep dive into the lives of individuals across the country, revealing the complexities of race in modern America. Its unflinching portrayal of the enduring impact of racism won the paper the Pulitzer Prize for national reporting in 2001, cementing its place as a landmark study of American race relations.
Behr continued to champion marginalized voices throughout her career, overseeing the extensive “Class in America” series in 2005 which delved into the persistent social stratification that defines American society. The series challenged the idea of a meritocratic society by highlighting the subtle but powerful impact of social class on individual opportunities and life outcomes.
Another impactful project was the 1993 series “Children of the Shadows,” which sought to dismantle stereotypes and portray the realities of young people growing up in challenging environments. In one particular article, reporter Isabel Wilkerson, now a renowned author and journalist, wrote a powerful and poignant portrait of a 10-year-old boy caring for his four younger siblings, winning her the Pulitzer Prize for feature writing. This compelling piece epitomized Behr’s vision of journalism as a powerful tool for humanizing individuals often rendered invisible by societal biases.
Behr’s influence extended beyond the pages of The New York Times. Her career exemplified what it meant to be a woman in a male-dominated field. She not only broke barriers by becoming the first woman to lead the national desk and the second to appear on the masthead, but she also actively mentored other women at the paper, making space for their voices and helping them build their careers. While she rejected the label of ideological feminist, her actions spoke volumes about her dedication to challenging gender stereotypes and advancing the opportunities for women, especially in the traditionally male-dominated world of journalism.
Behr’s commitment to diversity and inclusion extended beyond gender. She recognized that social change required addressing deep-rooted inequalities, and she devoted herself to this mission both within The New York Times and beyond. Upon retiring from journalism in 2005, she became director of the New York Times College Scholarship Program, which offered full financial aid to deserving students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
When funding for the program was unfortunately cut, Behr didn’t hesitate to find a way to continue her work. With her partner Melanie Rosen Brooks, she founded Scholarship Plus, an independent foundation that supports students from economically challenged backgrounds by supplementing their college financial aid. She believed that equal access to education was a cornerstone of a just society, and her unwavering support for such efforts reflected her lifelong dedication to creating a more equitable world.
Soma Golden Behr’s legacy is one of courage, vision, and unwavering commitment to journalism’s power to give voice to the unheard and inspire change. She challenged the status quo, amplified the voices of the marginalized, and devoted her life to building a more just and equitable world. Her passing leaves a void in the world of journalism and beyond, but her powerful stories and enduring impact on the field will continue to resonate for generations to come.
