The Wall of Distinction
(C) 2008 Syracuse Press Club.
Arlene LaRue
Herald-Journal / Herald American
Rome Sentinel
Arlene LaRue spent most of her newspaper career with Syracuse newspapers, but one of her pioneering accomplishments came when she was named city editor of the Rome Sentinel. Arlene was the first woman to hold that position at the Sentinel and one of the few women in the United States then serving as city editor, the executive responsible for directing a staff of reporters covering all city news.
The Syracuse native began showing her leadership qualities in high school and college. Arlene was a star athlete at North High School, earning block letters in four sports -- track, basketball, volleyball and tennis, and was named the school's Best Girl Athlete.
At Syracuse University, where she majored in journalism, Arlene received an award for the best feature story by an undergraduate, and won an award as the journalism senior with the highest scholastic average, given by Sigma Delta Chi, the national journalism honorary.
Arlene LaRue started her newspaper career as a reporter for the Syracuse Herald in 1934 soon after receiving her degree from SU's School of Journalism. In 1935, she joined the Sentinel as a reporter, and six years later was named the Rome daily's city editor.
She held the editor's job until 1947 when she left Rome to return to Syracuse and the evening newspaper which had become the Herald-Journal. There, she became head of the Women's Department, devoted principally to society and women's club news.
Under Arlene's leadership, the women's pages developed into today's Lifestyle, a comprehensive department addressing nutrition, fashion, interior design, and a wide range of family issues.
In 1975, Arlene began writing a column, "All Our Yesterdays," a nostalgic look at her school days, family life, Syracuse's past, and interesting people she had met. She continued writing the Sunday column after her retirement in 1977 until April, 1993, four months before her death.
A collection of her columns was published in 1977 by the Zonta Club, a businesswomen's organization, with cooperation of the Herald Company. Arlene donated proceeds of the book to Zonta to purchase equipment for the Ronald McDonald House in Syracuse. She was a long-time member of Zonta.
Arlene helped to revive the Central New York alumnae chapter of Theta Sigma Phi, a national women's journalism organization. She served as president of the chapter and as Eastern director of the national organization from 1955 to 1958. Theta Sigma Phi later became Women in Communications Inc. In 1983, Arlene received WICI's Outstanding Communicators Award. She also helped to found WICI's Public Relations Institute, held each fall to teach local volunteer groups how to present news to local media.
In 1992, Arlene was one of three people in the United States recognized for efforts in promoting the U.S. "Pledge of Allegiance." The recognition came from the Bellamy Organization, a national group that furthers the name of Francis Bellamy of Rome as the author of the pledge.
One of her long-time friends probably best described Arlene LaRue when she said, "She's very low-key, sincere. But she is one of the most intelligent persons I have ever known."
--Joseph A. Porcello
Herald-Journal / Herald American
Rome Sentinel
Arlene LaRue spent most of her newspaper career with Syracuse newspapers, but one of her pioneering accomplishments came when she was named city editor of the Rome Sentinel. Arlene was the first woman to hold that position at the Sentinel and one of the few women in the United States then serving as city editor, the executive responsible for directing a staff of reporters covering all city news.
The Syracuse native began showing her leadership qualities in high school and college. Arlene was a star athlete at North High School, earning block letters in four sports -- track, basketball, volleyball and tennis, and was named the school's Best Girl Athlete.
At Syracuse University, where she majored in journalism, Arlene received an award for the best feature story by an undergraduate, and won an award as the journalism senior with the highest scholastic average, given by Sigma Delta Chi, the national journalism honorary.
Arlene LaRue started her newspaper career as a reporter for the Syracuse Herald in 1934 soon after receiving her degree from SU's School of Journalism. In 1935, she joined the Sentinel as a reporter, and six years later was named the Rome daily's city editor.
She held the editor's job until 1947 when she left Rome to return to Syracuse and the evening newspaper which had become the Herald-Journal. There, she became head of the Women's Department, devoted principally to society and women's club news.
Under Arlene's leadership, the women's pages developed into today's Lifestyle, a comprehensive department addressing nutrition, fashion, interior design, and a wide range of family issues.
In 1975, Arlene began writing a column, "All Our Yesterdays," a nostalgic look at her school days, family life, Syracuse's past, and interesting people she had met. She continued writing the Sunday column after her retirement in 1977 until April, 1993, four months before her death.
A collection of her columns was published in 1977 by the Zonta Club, a businesswomen's organization, with cooperation of the Herald Company. Arlene donated proceeds of the book to Zonta to purchase equipment for the Ronald McDonald House in Syracuse. She was a long-time member of Zonta.
Arlene helped to revive the Central New York alumnae chapter of Theta Sigma Phi, a national women's journalism organization. She served as president of the chapter and as Eastern director of the national organization from 1955 to 1958. Theta Sigma Phi later became Women in Communications Inc. In 1983, Arlene received WICI's Outstanding Communicators Award. She also helped to found WICI's Public Relations Institute, held each fall to teach local volunteer groups how to present news to local media.
In 1992, Arlene was one of three people in the United States recognized for efforts in promoting the U.S. "Pledge of Allegiance." The recognition came from the Bellamy Organization, a national group that furthers the name of Francis Bellamy of Rome as the author of the pledge.
One of her long-time friends probably best described Arlene LaRue when she said, "She's very low-key, sincere. But she is one of the most intelligent persons I have ever known."
--Joseph A. Porcello
