Rebecca Aguilar, SPJ President on Facebook
By: Joseph Rios
Rebecca Aguilar’s journalism career has stretched longer than four decades. It has included stops and work at places like Toledo; Chicago; San Antonio; Phoenix; Los Angeles; and more where she works as a freelance reporter.
And along the way of her career, Aguilar has been in spots where history happened. She covered the 1992 Los Angeles riots which included five days of rioting in Los Angeles after four policemen were acquitted of the beating of Rodney King, a Black man. Aguilar has interviewed presidents, covered the pope, and even covered a Dallas Cowboys Super Bowl victory during the 1990’s.
And even though Aguilar has covered historic events and has been recognized with 50 awards and nominations for her journalism work, she can’t ever see herself get- ting tired of her profession. “I will die being a reporter. I will never retire — it’s just not in my blood,” said Aguilar. “That’s how much I love journalism.”
Aguilar’s commitment to journalism has led to an eventful and fulfilling career. It’s also led to her becoming the first Latina national president of the Society of Professional Journalists. Aguilar assumed her role as president of the organization in September 2021 when she was sworn in by SPJ National President Matthew T. Hall at the President’s Awards Ceremony during the SPJ 2021 conference.
When she was sworn in as the first Latina national president of the organization, Aguilar said she kept thinking of her parents who were undocumented workers from Mexico.
“It was a win for undocumented parents who sacrifice so much so their kids will have a better life. It was sad it took 112 years for a woman of color and a Latina to get to this point — but what I proved to many out there is you never give up despite the obstacles, despite the challenges and the racism you will face,” said Aguilar.
During her first year as national president of the Society of Professional Journalists, Aguilar has helped the organization’s board become more diverse. Among the board’s nine members include six people of color — five of which are Latino. She also appointed a transgender woman to the board.
Under her leadership and thanks to the organization’s membership committee, the Society of Professional Journalists recently started its first chapter in Puerto Rico. The Society of Professional Journalists also started a safety town hall after a female TV reporter was almost killed on live television when she was working by herself. Other committees that have formed as part of the Society of Professional Journalists during Aguilar’s presidential tenor include a sports media committee and a diversity inclusion committee.
A local lead journalist for La Voz, Ernest Gurule has known Aguilar for several decades and has this to say about Aguilar’s journalistic career, “There are more than a few things about Rebecca that stand out and they’ve been evident in all the years I’ve known her. First and foremost, Rebecca’s a really kind and lovely person. But one should never mistake those qualities as weakness. She has a voice and she uses it with great effectiveness. Her own history has taught her that silence is never an option, especially when course corrections are necessary—and not necessarily those that might benefit her. She speaks up when she sees things that will help others. She’s bold, honest and candid, also fiercely loyal. There are tons of things I like and admire about this strong Latina. She is where she is today because she is driven. There may be, from time to time, obstacles in her way. But she has that unique gift of being able to negotiate around them, but when necessary, she’ll plow right through them. I admire her for her talent as a journalist, for her strong voice for Latinos and, everyday, am thankful I can call her friend.”
Aguilar grew up in Ohio and Mexico City and earned her bachelor’s degree in communications at Bowling Green State University. She received her master’s degree in journalism at the University of North Texas.
“I think journalism will always be important. There are many in the business who think we are going through a crisis, but I think we’ve always had a crisis in this industry,” said Aguilar. “It just comes in different forms. In the past it was not seeing people of color on TV to now having some in the public call us fake news. When you’re a journalist with the courage, compassion and commitment in your heart, you will be able to survive it.”
