Writer of the Year
Mary C. Schulken / Greenville Daily Reflector

Mary C. Schulken, who has excelled in writing categories of the Best of Cox Awards for the last three years, does triple duty for the Greenville Daily Reflector. She edits the editorial page; writes a column; and also does enterprise work for the Insight section such as her article, "Erasing the lines."

The latter was a work of surprising frankness for a Southern small-town daily.

"It was a story that had never been told in Greenville, partly because so many people who lived with racial segregation do not care to uncover those memories," Schulken said.

"But it was an important story for two reasons. It opened many unknowing white eyes to the depth of the indignities that neighbors, co-workers or acquaintances endured — and to pervasive distrust.

"And it gave grace and power to the quiet determination that it takes to confront prejudice every day, yet go on to live a productive life and make things better."

The last three years could be termed the Schulken Era in the Best of Cox Awards. Here are her six first places:

1998 — Editorial and Column writing;
1999 — Editorial and Column writing; and
2000 — Writer of the year and Column writing.

Has success in the contest changed her?

"I don't think it has changed anything, other than cementing my longstanding conviction that top-notch journalism can be practiced anywhere, even in a small shop," she said.

"No big-city newsroom is required, just plain old hard work and a passion for the truth. The issues I write about certainly have become no easier. If anything, I find myself setting even more demanding expectations."
Born and raised in Lake Waccamaw, N.C., Schulken graduated from East Carolina University in Greenville with a degree in English and a minor in journalism. She joined the Daily Reflector in 1980.

She was a reporter and assistant managing editor before becoming editorial page editor and columnist.