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Staff

Karen Hawkins

Former Story Editor (She/Her/Y'all)

Karen Hawkins is a former story editor. Before The 19th, she was a newsperson for The Associated Press, reporter for the Windy City Times, and co-publisher and editor-in-chief of the Chicago Reader. She’s the founder of Rebellious Magazine for Women and the Feminist Media Foundation and co-host of the podcast Of Course I’m Not OK. She attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Northwestern.

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Past articles by Karen Hawkins

Black History Month: Our art is our power in the evolving American story

This Black History Month, The 19th's coverage will explore the ways that African-American arts show up in Black culture.

Karen Hawkins · February 9, 2024
Allyship, the emotional challenge of LGBTQ+ coverage — and why it will cost $5 to wish us happy Pride

The 19th’s LGBTQ+ reporters Kate Sosin and Orion Rummler join story editor Karen Hawkins to kick off our Pride Month coverage with a wide-ranging conversation and shakedown plans.

Kate Sosin, Orion Rummler, Karen Hawkins · June 5, 2023
Black History Month: Resistance, joy — and the path forward

The 19th is focused on telling stories along the twin themes of Black resistance and joy as we celebrate Black History Month with ongoing coverage.

Karen Hawkins · February 9, 2023