PLATTSBURGH — Raghida Dergham's journey to become one of the world's most influential Arab women was fueled by courage and curiosity — and a little help from Plattsburgh State.
The senior diplomatic correspondent for Al Hayat, a London-based newspaper, and political analyst for NBC and MSNBC recently spoke at the college as part the PSU Distinguished Visiting Alumni Program.
Dergham told her audience how as a teen she came to Plattsburgh from her native Lebanon to stay with her uncle and pursue her passion for writing and reporting.
Though Plattsburgh State did not offer a journalism program at the time, Professors Al Montanaro and Ronald Davis were determined to accommodate Dergham's interests and designed a major tailored to the eager student.
"SUNY Plattsburgh really went out of its way to be visionary, creative and to actually think of what to do about me.
"Plattsburgh opened up for me a way of thinking independently," Dergham said.
In 1973, Dergham became the first to graduate the college with a degree in journalism. But even though she had earned her diploma, she quickly discovered that earning the respect of males in the field would be difficult.
Dergham was not interested in writing about fashion or social life, as many female journalists were expected to do at the time. Instead, she wanted to report on international political affairs, a beat dominated by men.
"Not too many women in Western media are welcome to be columnists on international political affairs," Dergham said.
But welcome or not, Dergham refused to be shut out.
She gained attention at news conferences by asking relevant but bold questions of her sources.
"I asked questions that others did not dare ask.
"The beautiful part about it is that you as a journalist have the right to ask any question to anybody," Dergham said.
And when sources refused to grant her interviews, Dergham refused to take no for an answer, sticking to it until all her questions were addressed.
"It's about being persistent, being hungry for it and loving it.
"I think defiance is also important for a woman journalist," Dergham said. "You just can't take what they give you."
Throughout the years, Dergham has interviewed some of the world's most politically influential people, including Jordan's King Abdallah, Pakistan's President Parviz Musharref, Yemen's President Abdallah Saleh, Sudan's President Omar Al-Bashir, U.S. President George W. Bush, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice and more than 50 foreign ministers.
"I was equipped with knowledge because my job was to go to them not to be their mouth piece or to serve these officials," she said. "They have spokespeople to do that. My job was to take the concern of the public and then come in with it."
Her commitment to reporting the whole, uncensored truth to the public has resulted in some unwanted attention for Dergham, including death threats and failed attempts to harm her with mail bombs.
Her native country even indicted her on charges of dealing with the enemy, but Dergham, fearing she could be taken into custody and held indefinitely, refused to appear in Lebanon's Military Court. Finally, the charges were dropped.
Dergham said she's driven by a sense of justice, which gives her the courage and strength to continue her work despite the risks to her own safety.
In addition, she said, her curiosity and willingness to dig deep to uncover a story is part of what contributes to her success as a journalist.
"Do not go the course of journalism if you are not a very curious person.
"You have to be so curious that it eats you up," Durgham said.
Email Ashleigh Livingston at: alivingston@pressrepublican.com
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