If you think that journalism is dead, then you are not reading The Oregonian.

The Oregonian was the first newspaper I ever read and loved.

When we moved to Oregon a little over five years ago I picked it up and read it and couldn’t believe my eyes. It was full of outstanding writing, compelling voices, and hair-raising stories. I was hooked.

Five years later the newspaper is considerably thinner. Some days, like on Mondays, I swear the paper is barely there at all.

The section that covers the area where I live has practically evaporated. The building for the Southwest suburbs has been shuttered. I feel sad every time I drive by. The editor I wrote for worked there and he was really kind and encouraging.

I just got an iPhone. So did my husband. There doesn’t seem to be any app in the app store or any plan for moving from a print model into digital formats. If there is one at The O, I don’t know about it and it seems like I should, fan that I am. Is it a secret?

Any yet, amidst the doom and gloom predictions, and with a brand new publisher, The Oregonian just gets better as it grows leaner.

The coverage of issues effecting women and families lately has been nothing short of comprehensive and horrifying.

And that’s why I want to say thanks. I want to say thanks to The Oregonian because you are motivating me. Making me feel like I should do something, say something, be more involved in helping to solve the rampant dis-empowerment of women who, according to your recent reports are being crushed by:

Domestic violence

Sexual abuse of incarcerated women and mothers

Wife slaughter

Sex trafficking of teenage girls

Overwhelming homelessness

And neglect and sexual abuse of children by parents

I love that the stories start with a short piece or an editorial and then get wider, deeper and more probing of the key issues as you cover them further.

I hate what you are reporting on. I love that you are reporting on it.

Thank you so much.

And please, don’t stop.