Stars and Stripes ombudsman Jacqueline Smith was inducted into the Connecticut Journalism Hall of Fame on Dec. 4 for her lifetime achievements as a journalist. Two other journalists, one being her husband, James Smith, were also inducted alongside her this year.

“It was the Connecticut Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists’ honor to be able to induct Jacky and Jim Smith into our Hall of Fame...,” said Chandra Bozelko, President of the Connecticut Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.

“...Not only did our members and guests get to hear about all they had done for their communities through the coverage they provided, we also learned that Jacky was a great boss who was appreciated by colleagues and supervisees alike. Members are still talking about Jacky’s acceptance speech, especially the part where she said that journalists are essentially idealists at work. Everyone in the room felt that.”

For more than 40 years, Smith worked as a reporter and editor at various daily newspapers in Connecticut. Before being named the ombudsman at Stripes for a three-year term in December 2023, she was an editorial page editor and columnist for Hearst Connecticut Media group, the leading news source in the state. Smith is the first woman to be selected as Stripes’ ombudsman since the position was created by Congress in 1990.

In her acceptance speech, Smith talked about the ideas she holds as a journalist. “Journalists are idealists at heart and believe in the obligation to right the wrongs, to hold the powerful accountable, and to give a voice to the ‘everyday’ people.”

The Stripes’ ombudsman is the reader representative. If you have any questions about coverage, email Jacqueline Smith at ombudsman@stripes.com.

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