A moment of inspiration
By Annette Espinoza
Reporter
The Denver Post
08.12.04
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| Annette Espinoza
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I have experienced many joys being a journalist. First, there was the joy I felt upon hearing that I had been invited to become a member of the second class of the Freedom Forum's Diversity Institute.
There are many joyful memories of my time in Nashville and my first trip ever to the South. There was joy learning about the newspaper business from the best in the business, who graciously shared their knowledge.
Since my time at the Diversity Institute, there was unspeakable joy I felt after my first byline appeared in The Denver Post. Then there was elation when one of my stories was placed front and center on Page One.
But I have to say, my greatest joy in being a journalist has come from meeting a variety of people. Before I became a reporter, I was a newsroom assistant and confined to the newsroom. My reporting job has given me an opportunity to interview United States senators and the children of one of my heroes, Cesar Chavez. I have interviewed an 81-year-old member of an anti-war group called Raging Grannies. There have been interviews of people who survive on Denver streets and teens in prison because their lives have been filled with abuse and neglect.
I even interviewed a woman whose last name was — believe it or not — Joy. She's known on Denver streets as the Burger Lady because she feeds hungry men, women and children fast-food burgers from money she raises.
Meeting these people and telling their stories is why I'm blessed and joyful to be a journalist.
Annette Espinoza is a graduate of the Freedom Forum Diversity Institute at Vanderbilt University.