The Black women who built the AFRO: A legacy of truth and trailblazing journalism

by Frances Toni Draper AFRO Publisher
AFRO Publisher and CEO

Today, as I stand at the helm of our family-owned media company, I carry forward a legacy built by remarkable Black women—women whose work transformed journalism and uplifted our community. My journey is deeply personal, a continuation of the groundbreaking work of my mother, Frances L. Murphy II—fondly known as “Frankie”—and her extraordinary sisters, cousins, and colleagues whose names and contributions are forever etched into the history of The AFRO-American Newspaper.  

My aunt, Elizabeth “Bettye” Murphy Moss, was the eldest of my mother’s sisters—a trailblazer who shattered barriers as the first African-American woman war correspondent. She returned to the family business and held many roles inside and outside of the company, including vice president of editorial and Baltimore City School commissioner. She set a high standard for truth-telling that resonated far beyond the newsroom, inspiring generations of journalists to pursue the real story with unflinching courage. Readers regularly called her to share their everyday highs and lows, hoping that their “news” would appear in her signature column, “If You Ask Me.”

Then, there was her sister, Ida Murphy Peters, whose exceptional talent in entertainment reporting was known throughout the world.  In an era when the glitz of the stage often overshadowed substance, Aunt Ida struck a perfect balance. She had a unique charm that drew artists to her. I remember, as a teenager, dreaming of attending the hottest shows. But to get a ticket from Aunt Ida, we had to agree to write a story for the paper. Aunt Ida was also the AFRO’s Mrs. Santa during the Christmas season and the “Clean Block Lady” in the summer – a testament to her unwavering commitment to community service.  

Another sister, Vashti Murphy Matthews, added to our family’s legacy with her dedication to preserving history. After serving with honor in the famed 6888th Central Postal Battalion during World War II, Aunt Vashti channeled her meticulous nature into her role at the AFRO, where she served as one of the paper’s librarians for many years. Her twin sister, Carlita Murphy Jones, an elementary schoolteacher by profession, who lived in Buffalo, N.Y., was supposedly not involved in the family business, but there were many nights that I overheard her and my mother talking about what would make a good front-page story.

Then, there was my mother’s first cousin, Elizabeth Murphy Oliver, whose crime reporting captured the gritty realities of street life. Her work—marked by an unyielding commitment to uncovering the truth—reminded us that every community has a story that deserves to be told with compassion, integrity, and depth. 

Of course, none of this legacy would be complete without women like Cousins Mae Murphy Dyson, who worked in the Dispatch Department, her sister Arnetta Murphy Lottier, deputy director of the AFRO’s Clean Block program, and Aunt Frank (Frances L. Murphy I) – the original “Clean Block Lady.”

In addition, there were countless women not related to AFRO founder John Henry Murphy Sr., who were just as committed to the cause of journalistic excellence—women like Margaret Brown, Berine Bundara, Gainor Hackney, Gertrude Steele, Odessa Dyson, Susie Clark, Laura Phillips, Elinor Washington, Denise Dorsey (who recently retired after 48 years of service), and 40-year-plus team member, AFRO Receptionist Wanda Pearson – who still answers the phone with a smile – to name just a few. 

And, lest I forget, it was a Black woman – great-grandmother Martha Elizabeth Howard Murphy (mother of 10) – who provided the $200 in venture capital that great-grandfather John Henry Murphy Sr. needed to buy the “AFRO” name and a printing press at an auction.  Now, that’s quite a story!

The legacy of dedicated AFRO women isn’t just a chapter in journalism history—it’s a living testament to the power of truth, resilience, and the indomitable spirit of Black women in the press. 

I am honored to continue their work, knowing that every story written and every truth uncovered is a tribute to their extraordinary lives and a pathway to journalistic excellence for generations to come. 

A huge thank you to AFRO Managing Editor Alexis Taylor, her team, and all the women (and a few good men) who contributed to this edition!

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