Doreen Leggett
“I believe that if we explain the problems we face as a community, if we tell the stories that matter, we can make everyone feel a responsibility not only to protect the rich fishing heritage of the peninsula, but make it as much a part of the future as it was of the past.”
Doreen, who feels most comfortable holding a notebook, has been writing stories since she was in second grade. She grew up in Weymouth spending summers on Wessagussett Beach – where her parents had a hard time getting her out of the water – and every August her family spent a weekend on the Cape. It was then she realized what a special place the Cape is.
After high school, Doreen couldn’t decide if she wanted to major in environmental studies – so she could go to the Florida Keys and help the black panther – or be a writer and a change agent like Rachel Carson. So she ended up doing both, graduating from the University of New Hampshire with a bachelor of science and a bachelor of arts in journalism. She spent a year or two writing for papers on the South Shore and in 1997 began covering the fisheries for The Cape Codder.
She has spent 20 years in journalism, earning close to two dozen awards, exploring the Cape and telling its stories.
Doreen is struck by how everyone’s definition of the Cape includes the fisheries. But it’s hard to find people who truly know what is happening on the waterfront or in the waters beyond, who understand what small-boat fishing families are facing today.
As the community journalist at the Fishermen’s Alliance she gets to share those stories, as well as the good work the Alliance is doing championing a sustainable economy and environment. If she is able to tell those stories she knows others on the Cape will join the battle.
Doreen Leggett, Community Journalist and Communications Officer
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