Linwood journalist Suzanne Marino still has hands full juggling life, work
LINWOOD — Accomplished journalist Suzanne Marino has been reflecting on her career as she awaits 2023 induction into the Atlantic County Women’s Hall of Fame.
Marino reported out of Burlington County for seven to eight years before her family relocated to Atlantic County, where she has worked for 27 years. Marino currently writes for Mainland Living and EHT Living.
She said she picked up newspaper writing after having three children because she could work around others’ schedules.
“Writing came easy to me,” she said, and coupled with a connection to the community, Marino answered an ad in the newspaper and began writing articles.
Working part-time until her youngest child was in middle school, Marino attended her children’s events, became president of the parent-teacher organization, was a substitute teacher in Linwood and Somers Point, and coached basketball and softball.
She started part-time at a weekly newspaper in Burlington County and began writing for the Current newspapers a few months after her move to Atlantic County.
“I have had a unique opportunity for many years to write stories that other people might not write, meet people that I might have never met before,” she said. “When you are a community journalist, you get to meet so many different people in your community in so many different areas that make the whole picture.”
Whether it is government officials, school personnel, crossing guards, folks in local churches and synagogues, or businesspeople, Marino tells their stories in an unbiased, honest way.
“Everybody has a story to tell, and they normally don’t get that opportunity,” she said.
She has covered local schools, sports, bake sales, chili cook-offs, school plays, musicals, obituaries, pageants, veterans programs and more.
Her favorite story is often the one she just handed in — it changes constantly. She reflects on some of her favorite moments of her career. She had the delight of interviewing a woman on her 100th birthday and sat down with her for many more stories before she passed away at 112 years old. She did a piece on African American women’s hats for Black History Month.
“I’ve covered so many veterans, and stories, and people I couldn’t even tell you how many. Good ones, great ones and very sad ones.”
She shares the importance of covering Holocaust survivors — “Most of these people are gone now, but I had the opportunity to talk to so many people and share their stories that needed to be shared.”
She sees herself as a storyteller and a fact-checker. She earned the reputation of being fair and did not limit herself to only one issue.
Marino stresses the importance of patience and advises aspiring journalists to take a break before looking over their work. For young women looking to become journalists, her advice is to be adaptive and able to write in many different capacities.
“If you’re thinking about entering the field of journalism, you need to twist and change and adapt because this field is constantly changing,” she said. “There is something new to be learned and new ways to grow every day.”
Marino said it is a wonderful surprise to be one of the honorees of this year’s Atlantic County Women’s Hall of Fame and is honored to be inducted alongside other outstanding women.
The other inductees are Donna Michael-Ziereis, Natalie L. Devonish, Margaret (Peggy) Mallen-Walczak, Robin M. Stoloff and Nicole R. Williams.
Those interested in attending the induction ceremony should call (609) 377-4035 for tickets.Visit acwhf.org for more information.
By JOELLE CARR/For the Sentinel