Hattie
Hattie Wilson started The Gazette after her husband’s death, pouring her savings, heart, and soul into it. She’s a determined, capable businesswoman, intent on achieving success on her own terms. The Gazette gives her social standing, an invitation to every village event, and personal status. It’s a business first and a newspaper second. It survives on the advertising revenue from local businesses, meaning Hattie has to endlessly solicit ads from the town businessmen. She and Jessie often clash on the role of the local paper. Although Hattie tells Jessie she can’t afford her morals, she does see what a gem of a reporter she’s got. In truth, she doesn’t want to censor Jessie’s articles.