Manuscript Division Elissa Blake Free Papers

Elissa Blake Free Papers

Collection

Identifier: MSS86477

Scope and Content Note

The papers of Elissa Blake Free (1955-) span the years 1947-2021, with the bulk of the material dating from 1978 to 2005, and document Free’s career as a television news producer at CBS and The Cable News Network (CNN). The papers are primarily in English and organized alphabetically by subject.

The collection documents broadcast news and the early years of cable news, with files regarding CBS and CNN’s coverage of news events, memoranda and correspondence documenting internal operations, and staff files and employee benefits material. It also contains coverage manuals from CBS and CNN, which serve as the production manuals for each news event and outline the logistics for how a news story or segment developed. Free faced several notable instances of sexism as a female news producer throughout her career, which is reflected in files on her maternity leave from CNN and files related to Hartman v. Albright, a class action sex discrimination lawsuit against the United States Information Agency in which she was awarded damages for their discriminatory hiring practices.

The collection also includes personal correspondence, diaries and reporter’s notebooks, photographs, and invitations and programs from various professional receptions and events.

Dates

Creation: 1947-2021
Creation: Majority of material found within 1978-2005

Language of Materials

Collection material in English

Access and Restrictions

Restrictions apply governing the use, photoduplication, or publication of items in this collection. Consult reference staff in the Manuscript Division for information concerning these restrictions. In addition, many collections are stored off-site and advance notice is needed to retrieve these items for research use. Researchers are advised to contact the Manuscript Reading Room prior to visiting.

Copyright Status

The status of copyright in the unpublished writings of Elissa Blake Free is governed by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, U.S.C.).

Biographical Note

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Elissa Blake Free was born on October 18, 1955, in Washington, D.C., to Ann Cottrell Free and James S. Free. She received her bachelor of arts in 1978 from Macalester College, St. Paul, Minnesota. That same year, Free began her career in television news broadcasting when she was hired at CBS as an assistant and researcher. In 1980, she left CBS to begin working at the Washington, D.C., bureau of CNN as a producer. She held various positions as associate and executive producer of nightly and weekly news shows and segments on the network before transitioning to the role of general field assignment producer around 1992. She began working as a story producer around 1996, working with CNN’s Washington correspondents. In 1999, she moved into the newly created position of newsroom manager, where she was responsible for ensuring all assignments and beats were covered and positions were staffed, before leaving CNN in 2001. She married William Ward Nooter in 1983, and their daughter, Amanda Blake Nooter, was born in 1991.

Extent

2,300 items
7 containers
2.6 linear feet

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Additional Description

Abstract

Television news producer. Correspondence, memoranda, diaries, notes and notebooks, production scripts, CNN manuals and alumni newsletters, photographs, and other papers of Elissa Blake Free pertaining to her career primarily at CNN but also with CBS News.

Arrangement of the Collection

This collection is arranged alphabetically by name of organization, subject, or type of material.

Catalog Record

https://lccn.loc.gov/mm2022086477

Acquisition Information

The papers of Elissa Blake Free were given to the Library of Congress by Free in 2022.

Related Material

Related collections in the Manuscript Division include the papers of Ann Cottrell Free (see https://hdl.loc.gov/loc.mss/eadmss.ms022008).

Transfers

Video and audiocassette tapes of Free's news stories and air checks have been transferred to the Motion Picture, Broadcasting, and Recorded Sound Division where they are identified as part of the Elissa Blake Free Papers. Patrons are encouraged to contact the Motion Picture, Broadcasting, and Recorded Sound Division in advance of a research visit.