After enjoying a prolific career in journalism for over 35 years, Dora Ann Reaves retired from her field in 2004. From 1968 to 2004, she excelled as a reporter and copy editor for The Post and Courier in Charleston, South Carolina, having held concurrent positions at the Evening Post Publishing Company in Charleston as a reporter from 1968 to 1981 and the assistant chief copy editor from 1981 to 1991. Notably, Ms. Reaves served as the copy desk chief for the Evening Post Publishing Company in 1981, where she was responsible for selecting every story that was published in the newspaper five days per week.
To prepare for her career, Ms. Reaves received a Bachelor of Arts in English from Winthrop College in 1968. Outside of her primary endeavors, she has served as a member of HELP of Summerville in Summerville, South Carolina, a local volunteer nonprofit organization that assists individuals and families in need. Previously, she thrived as the executive director for Sculpture in the South in Summerville, another nonprofit organization that promotes appreciation for sculpture and the arts through educational methods. She has also been a member of the Society of Professional Journalists and the president and vice president of the Charleston Press Club.
Over the course of her career, Ms. Reaves demonstrated expertise in writing grants for nonprofit organizations, as well as writing obituaries and proofreading articles before they went to print. As a testament to her success in the field, she has been honored on several occasions, receiving the Second Place Spot Reporting Award from the South Carolina Associated Press in 1972, the School Bell Award from the South Carolina Educational Association in 1973 and the Order of the Flying Orchid Award from Delta Airlines in 1978.
Attributing much of her success to the wonderful mentors she has met during her career, Ms. Reaves intends to continue enjoying her retirement in the coming years. In particular, she desires to travel more frequently and watch her grandson grow and mature.
