Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Althea Goodwin Made a Difference at The Times

It’s so hard for any of us who work with her to imagine a day at The Times without Althea Goodwin.

But so she can spend more time with her family and enjoy life “away” from the daily responsibilities of the newspaper, executive assistant Althea Goodwin is retiring after 17 years of putting out fires, soothing egos, solving problems and making all of our lives better, both inside and outside the walls of The Times.

We worked with Althea, but it is you she worked for.

This voice for The Times and internal advocate for readers bids farewell August 31st.

From fielding calls on a tough election nights to transcribing donors to the Joy Fund, her customer service is hard to match. She soldiers through daily tasks -- like birth and death notices -- proud to help chronicle the communities’ lives. She is always ready to lend a hand and is compassionate for those in need. She touches many lives in the community by caring for so many details.

She sees it all, helping veteran journalists work through tough assignments and ushering others on their way through our newsroom. She began her time here working for The Shreveport Journal, working for 7 editors in all (one was here twice). All have mentioned her as an essential, critical player in the operation.

Her departure is a loss for us, but we are happy for the reward she’ll find in plans she is making for a happy retirement. Congratulations are in order for a dedicated and dependable journalist.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow. That is great for her, but the end of an era.
She is an amazing person. I truly loved working with her. Althea was the best I ever worked with. She is one of those rare individuals who thinks of others first, is unfailingly professional and a tremendous person. I only wish she had relatives in Atlanta!


Ronnie Ramos
Senior Editor / Operations
Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Anonymous said...

It is a sad day when a newsroom loses someone of Althea's caliber. It is your smile that greeted us every morning, and your calming ways that helped us make it through the tougher days. Whilst I wish her the best in her much-deserved retirement, I do wish she would instead sit by my side in the Montgomery newsroom! Everyone needs that quiet support at their side. I wish her the best always. Enjoy that beautiful family!

Kym Klass

Melissa Swanson said...

I haven't worked with her long, but she has always had a smile on her face and been willing to answer my silly questions. What a great person!
I wish you the very best Althea!

Anonymous said...

CONGRATULATIONS TO A LADY WHO DESERVES A LOT OF PRAISE FOR HER WORK AND HER COMPASSION FOR THOSE SHE COMES IN CONTACT WITH OUTSIDE THE OFFICE. I HAVE GOTTEN TO KNOW HER THROUGH ATTENDING BASEBALL GAMES THAT OUR GRANDSONS PLAY TOGETHER, SHE IS AN AVID FAN AND A GOOD FRIEND TO OTHER GRANDPARENTS WHO ARE THERE. SHE IS A JOY TO BE AROUND.

MAM