Louisiana Leaders: Notable Women in History

Born along the Pearl River in Mississippi, Elizabeth (Eliza) Jane Poitevent Nicholson would become the first woman publisher of an important daily newspaper, the Picayune. She began as a poet, writing under the name Pearl Rivers, whose work was accepted by newspapers in New Orleans and New York. She was offered the position of literary editor of the Picayune, and courting the disapproval of her family who strongly objected to Eliza's joining the male workforce, she moved to New Orleans in 1870 where she became the first Louisiana woman to earn a living by working for a newspaper. Several years later she married the owner/editor of the Picayune who upon his death in 1876 left the newspaper $80,000 in debt. Although encouraged to declare bankruptcy, the 27 year old widow decided to remain as publisher of the newspaper.

Although a few staff left, the majority stayed and gave her their loyalty. In several years she married her business manager and together they changed the face of the Picayune. Under Eliza's management the paper evolved into a family newspaper, with daring innovations for the time including departments for women and children, fashion, medical advice, household hints, etc. The introduction of a society page which invaded the closed private lives of the city's elite scandalized at first, but by 1890 it became the largest department in the Sunday paper. Also a philanthropist, Eliza used the paper's editorial pages to battle against cruelty to animals, writing columns against dog fighting, and beatings of horses and mules.

By her death in 1896 the paper had incorporated many elements of modern syndicated newspapers, while other papers remained unchanged since the Civil War. From 1880 to 1890 the newspaper more than tripled its circulation and influence, growing in size and stature.