Joanne Goodwin
A Life in Journalism and a Passion for Storytelling
As Editor of Cheshire Life and long time supporter of the Inspiring Women Awards, Joanne is delighted to be interviewing this year’s Finalists at the Awards lunch, bringing their stories to life in her own unique style.
“Being a journalist is all about listening to stories and sharing them,” she says. “The Inspiring Women Awards is a day filled with incredible tales—stories that will make you laugh, bring a tear to your eye, and most of all, inspire you.”
Joanne’s own story is inspiring and she describes her journey through journalism as being ‘not without its challenges.’ When she started in 1982, at The Sentinel, a leading UK regional daily, there were no female photographers, sub-editors, or news-desk staff. And by the time she left in 2006, there were still no female sportswriters. But things were slowly changing, although not all things!
“Looking back, there were moments that were hard to handle, particularly when pregnant. Like the time a photographer in the darkroom informed me he ‘fancied pregnant women’, or when I was experiencing nose bleeds and a senior colleague loudly announced across the newsroom it was ‘because it had nowhere else to come out’.”
Despite the obstacles, she persevered, climbing the ranks to become a Day Editor at the The Sentinel, overseeing an editorial team of 120. Under her leadership, the newspaper won European Newspaper of the Year and numerous other accolades.
Then, in 2006, Joanne faced a turning point when she was made redundant. For six months, she cleaned houses for elderly clients finding it cathartic and full of lovely people. She also dabbled in PR, but that felt like she was selling her soul.
A lifeline came in the form of Staffordshire County Magazine, where Joanne was appointed editor. Over the next few years, she juggled editing multiple Midlands titles while also studying for an English Literature degree. Her expertise led her to oversee a 19-magazine wedding portfolio before landing her dream role at Cheshire Life in 2020—just as many of her contemporaries were retiring.
The past five years at Cheshire Life have been some of the most rewarding of her career.
“It’s been career and life-enhancing,” she says. “New friendships, new challenges, new skills. And the opportunity to be part of events like The Inspiring Women Awards. What a great time to be a woman in journalism.”
Joanne’s story is a testament to perseverance, passion, and the power of storytelling. And as she says in journalistic tradition, MFL—More Follows Later.
With her passion for getting the best from a story, Joanne putting this skill to the test at the 33rd annual Inspiring Women Awards Lunch on 16th May 2025.
More details here