Sheila Mackay, a pioneering Scottish journalist and equal pay campaigner, has died at the age of 89, her family announced. She was the first woman to chair the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) and played a key role in securing equal pay for women in journalism.
Early life and career
Born in Edinburgh in 1937, Mackay began her career in journalism at the age of 18 as a trainee reporter on the Edinburgh Evening News. She later moved to London, working for the Daily Mirror and the Sunday Mirror. In 1968, she became the first woman to chair the NUJ, a position she held for two years.
Equal pay campaign
Mackay was a leading figure in the campaign for equal pay for women journalists. In 1972, she helped to negotiate a landmark agreement that gave women journalists the same pay as men for the first time. According to the NUJ, the agreement set a precedent for other industries and was a major milestone in the fight for gender equality.
Later career and legacy
After leaving the Daily Mirror, Mackay worked as a freelance journalist and broadcaster. She was a regular contributor to BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour and wrote for The Guardian and The Observer. In 2013, she was awarded the NUJ's lifetime achievement award for her services to journalism and equal pay.
Tributes
NUJ general secretary Michelle Stanistreet said: “Sheila was a trailblazer for women in journalism. Her work on equal pay changed the lives of thousands of women journalists and her legacy will continue to inspire future generations.” Mackay is survived by her two children and four grandchildren.
