Journalist Cao Thi Thanh Thuy: 'Stand up with gratitude'

Over ten years of working as a journalist, writing about hundreds of characters with all the ups and downs of life, I have used the words “determination”, “devotion”, “passion”, “dedication” many times… But I never thought that there would be a day like today, with this article, I begin the lines about my beloved colleague with those descriptions, that: Journalist Cao Thi Thanh Thuy (Nghe An Newspaper) - an example of determination to overcome adversity; a diligent cadre, devoted to the journalism career; a department-level leader who is devoted to his colleagues…

“We must live well, not just for ourselves…”

We started our conversation at a familiar coffee shop - where the two sisters sometimes took the opportunity to meet after work. I belong to the younger generation, having just started working at Nghe An Newspaper since 2014, while Ms. Thuy has been working at the Newspaper since 1999; the two sisters work at the same agency, and sometimes even shared the same office, when I, as a reporter, was assigned to the Culture - Society Department - where she was the head of the department. Joking behind her back, reporters secretly called her "the rascal" because of her outstanding height, her clear voice, typical of a coastal girl, and her decisiveness in her professional work. But those who are a little closer to her understand that the "rascal" who always laughs and talks loudly is a woman who holds back many hidden feelings and emotions...

In 2003, after 5 years working at Nghe An Newspaper, Thanh Thuy fell in love and married a colleague who was a reporter for Cong Thuong Newspaper. Their love was built on the harmony of souls, the same profession, the same aspirations, at that time, the young couple was considered a beautiful couple of Nghe An "journalism village". Not long after, the small family was more complete with the birth of their first daughter - the sweet fruit of their love. "He named her Thanh Hien, hoping that she would grow up to be a pure, gentle, kind, talented and virtuous person. He loved his daughter very much, not only when she went to work but when she came home, he held her in his arms all the time." - Ms. Thuy recalled.

Thanh Hien was nearly 5 years old when Thuy became pregnant for the second time; the joy and anticipation of the couple for this little creature were indescribable. The days and months seemed to pass peacefully like that, until the fateful day in 2007. “My husband had an accident and passed away due to an unexpected disaster. That day, I was less than 5 months pregnant with Bi. I will never forget that night in my life. My family gently told me to take them to the hospital for a pregnancy check-up. No one dared to say anything, and I myself could not have imagined that it would be the last time I would see my husband. That year, I was 32 years old, with a baby in my arms and a big pregnant belly. I just stood there, absent-minded like a soulless person, not understanding what was happening to my life,” Thuy confided.

The pain of losing her husband had not yet subsided when, just one month later, cruel fate once again challenged her when her mother passed away from a serious illness. Two consecutive shocks knocked down the woman's heart and mind. Ms. Thuy said, perhaps the most painful thing was just exhaustion. She was in so much pain that she could not cry, her eyes were red and dry but she could not shed any tears. After two consecutive deaths, she thought she could die right away, but what about her young child, the life beating in her womb? In the endless sleepless days and nights with the excruciating pain, she thought, she had to live, had to live optimistically, live well, live not only for herself but also for her child, for the loved ones who had guided her through the darkest moments of her life.

Looking back on the difficult days, the determined woman said that she stood up with all her great gratitude to the many people who reached out to share, encourage, and help her and her children; including the Nghe An Newspaper staff. For her, the newspaper's editorial office with its familiar faces, colleagues are brothers, sisters, friends, and younger siblings who are called by name, remembered with so much love and gratitude. "Nghe An Newspaper is not only a place to work, but also a warm, tolerant home that cares for my mother and me in our daily lives. I will never forget the gratitude to my devoted colleagues who were with me in the most painful moments, with every meal, every gift, every visit..." - Ms. Thuy confided.

Sweet fruit of life

With more than 22 years of working as a journalist, having been attached to Nghe An Newspaper since her youth, full of enthusiasm and ambition for the profession, until now, mature and confident in many department-level leadership positions, Ms. Cao Thi Thanh Thuy said that the biggest lesson she has received is to keep working with all her heart and passion, the profession will not let her down. Journalism life is constantly facing the need for innovation, each stage has many "steps" that journalists must overcome, for a female journalist, those difficulties seem to multiply. Journalism work is full of unique hardships, often requiring business trips to remote, isolated areas, at those times, she has to flexibly arrange to both ensure the tasks assigned by the agency and take care of her two young children.

“Once, Bi said: Mom, you’re late picking me up for the 100th time! - How do you know, are you counting? - I counted, exactly 100 times! Now, whenever I remember the scene of the whole school being deserted, with only my little child sitting huddled under the tree in front of the gate, I feel so sorry for him…” - Ms. Thuy shared. However, despite the hardships, she still firmly believes that no matter how much the collective cares, helps and shares, she herself must not have a dependent mentality, but must be grateful to strive to do better, to complete the task more excellently.

Through her continuous efforts, Ms. Thuy was recognized and highly appreciated by the collective, and the Party Committee and Editorial Board entrusted her with the responsibility of managing the professional department. In her role as department manager, she treated her colleagues with a sincere and resolute attitude, respecting individual personalities but at the same time setting limits so that the common work, the collective work, and the individual work could be in harmony.

A high sense of responsibility in performing tasks is the first thing that she always reminds herself and her colleagues of. As the Head of the Department of Culture and Society, a department that has the characteristics of monitoring and reflecting many important fields such as National Defense, Education, Health, Sports, Tourism, etc.; implementing 7 weekly printed pages on daily newspapers, 6 columns on Nghe An Electronic Newspaper, 3 special pages on Nghe An Weekend Newspaper; with a large staff, Ms. Thuy must always supervise and cover all fields, at the same time clearly understand the strengths and weaknesses of each reporter to assign the right job, the right person, at the right time.

Many young reporters when assigned to work in "Ms. Thuy's room" are initially hesitant, because "they heard that Ms. Thuy is very strict", but the longer they stay together, the more they understand, the debates and decisions are only for the common good, for the good of the brothers. At work, she is straightforward and sincere to encourage everyone to progress together, and in her personal life, journalist Thanh Thuy is like an elder sister who cares, closely listens to the thoughts and aspirations of her brothers to understand and accompany them.

The mark of female journalist - Head of Department Cao Thi Thanh Thuy is faintly visible in the journalistic works of reporters, in every award that the industry and profession recognizes; but for her, the success and also the greatest gift she has received is a united, cohesive, unified department; a group that understands, shares, honors each other, and has a working spirit to keep up with and is ready to face all challenges that journalism life poses.

In her personal life, the sweet fruit after her arduous and difficult life is her two obedient children, who have grown up with many proud achievements in their studies. The eldest daughter is a former student of Phan Boi Chau High School for the Gifted, won the National Encouragement Prize for Excellent Students in English, and was admitted directly to Ton Duc Thang University (Ho Chi Minh City). Her son - Cu Bi - is now a tall young man, a spiritual support for his mother and sister, having just achieved an IELTS score of 8.0 when he was in grade 9.

Writing about Ms. Thuy - our "lady demon" - is difficult. Although I have talked to her many times, worked closely with her in daily work, and admired her determination and dedication, no matter what I write, I still feel that it is not enough to tell all about this valuable colleague. These lines are a basic sketch of her - journalist Cao Thi Thanh Thuy - a shining example at Nghe An Newspaper.

Personal achievementsby journalist Cao Thi Thanh Thuyachieved in 5 years 2016-2022:

- In 2016, received a certificate of merit from the Provincial Labor Federation for being good at public work and good at housework; won the prizeNhahaKencourageGCua Lo tourism journalism award; won the titleCgrassroots emulation soldier

- Awarded by the Provincial People's CommitteeBCertificate of Merit for outstanding achievements in work since 2015-2016 contributed to the socio-economic development of Nghe An province.

- 2019: Third Prize, Encouragement Prize for Writing Journalism AwardaboutNghe An tourism.

- Continuously for 5 years (2016)- 2022), journalist Cao Thi Thanh ThuyClassified as a qualified party member who has completed his duties well. Managed the professional department to achieve the title of Advanced Labor Collective.

- 2021, Dawarded by the Provincial People's CommitteeBCertificate of Merit for many achievements in propagating the Party's guidelines and policies, the State's laws and policies, and in building and developingBNghe An shirt.

-2022: AchievedSecond Prize of the Journalism Award for writing about tourism in Cua Lo

AbouttbodySocial Office:

-2021: Provincial People's Committee awardedBCommend the collective of the Cultural and Social Department for its many achievementspropaganda work on the Party's guidelines and policies, the State's laws and policies, buildingbuild and developBNghe An shirt.

-2022: The Department of Culture and Social Affairs was awarded by the Provincial People's CommitteeBCertificate of Merit for excellent completion of propaganda work in the provincial defense area exercise.