One woman who has transformed the way I think about journalism is Mary Margaret Olohan. In a media landscape where it is the norm to avoid controversy, she has built her early career by doing the opposite. To Olohan, journalism is both a profession and a vocation. She covers the stories others shy away from.

Olohan began reporting at the Daily Caller, covering politics, culture, and religious liberty.  She reported later for the Daily Signal. Then, she moved on to report for the Daily Wire to report some of the biggest cultural debates happening in the country.

In 2024, Mary Margaret Olohan published her first book, DeTrans: True Stories of Escaping the Gender Ideology Cult. She tells the stories of people who detransitioned and had their experiences rejected by medical “experts” and mainstream media. The book was powerful; it gave Detransitioners a voice and forced a conversation that many in politics and the media weren’t willing to have.

That same year, I had the chance to meet Mary Margaret Olohan and hear her speak at the Network of enlightened Women’s annual Leadership Retreat. Hearing her speak about why she chose to pursue these stories left a lasting impression on me. Olohan emphasized how important it is to tell the truth, even when the truth is unpopular. That stuck with me.

Today, Mary Margaret Olohan is the Daily Wire’s first-ever White House correspondent. Her early career path—which is still unfolding—is a reminder that women who work in media don’t have to follow the same script as their predecessors to make an impact. The most important journalism comes from the reporter who is willing to ask the questions others won’t. And strong and principled journalism might just land you in the James S. Brady Briefing Room.

This blog was written by NeW Ambassador Leona Salinas.