Gerri Major papers

1927-1985

Geraldyn "Gerri" Hodges Major, journalist and writer, was raised and educated in Chicago. Known then as Geraldyn Dismond, she pursued a professional career as a writer, journalist, and editor for several African American newspapers including the New York Amsterdam News. Black society was Major's primary journalistic interest, and she wrote about society fashion, food, and style, frequently traveling around the globe as she covered social events. From 1934-1946, Major worked for the New York City Health Department's Bureau of Public Health Information and Education as an administrative assistant. In 1953, then known as Gerri Major, she began a 25 year career at the New York office of the Johnson Publishing Company where she served as society editor and associate editor for Ebony Magazine, and later, Jet Magazine. She became senior staff editor for Ebony in 1967, and briefly was a European correspondent. She wrote and lectured on aspects of black society, and co-authored a book, Black Society, published in 1976. Major died in New York City in 1984.