Paz with her aunt, the late Sister Remedios Castro after returning home and starting her teaching career.
<p class=”p1″><em>He asked me if we could continue the newspaper, but I was worried because we did not have any money to start it with and we did not know anything about the newspaper business.</em>
NEWLYWED and barely starting their life together in the Northern Marianas, a biology teacher and an aspiring artist, Paz and Abed Younis, found themselves in the crosshairs of history in the early spring of 1972 as they contemplated a decision over dinner.
Paz was teaching biology at Marianas High School, Abed was running his own art studio, Younis Art Studio in Susupe as an art instructor, and they had just married months before.
It seemed, however, on this budding island of Saipan, there was little interest in learning to be an artist. Abed just got word that the island’s only newspaper, the Marianas Star, was closing due to the U.S. Peace Corps pullout of volunteers who were helping to put the weekly paper together.
“He asked me if we could continue the newspaper, but I was worried because we did not have any money to start it with and we did not know anything about the newspaper business,” said Paz.
“We agreed that this was a crucial time for the Northern Marianas, as discussions had started about negotiating a different political status and the end of Congress of Micronesia. Our community had to have a newspaper,” she pointed out.
Paz understood the importance of having a free and independent press, especially in the face of such dramatic political changes. She agreed to help her husband and contributed some of her teacher’s salary to help pay for the business expenses.
“We applied for our business license and agreed to take over the payments for the printing machine. We barely had anything, but we knew that this was important. When I asked what we will call the newspaper, Abed pointed out having a variety of news and opinions so we agreed on Marianas Variety News & Views.”
When Marianas Variety’s first issue was printed on March 16, 1972, Paz remembered what a tremendous feeling it was to be part of giving the community she was born and raised in a voice they could trust.
Paz joins fellow college mates, the late Ricky Sablan and Juan Pan Guerrero, Jr. who were attending University of Nebraska while she attended St. Mary’s College, majoring in Biology.
When her eldest son, Banny, was born, she decided to stay home and help with the family business.
“I would help with the typesetting and other tasks. We were selling the newspaper for $.10 a copy and it was selling fast because people were thirsty for information. That impressed me a lot, how our people sought to be informed, especially during this important time,” she said.
But selling newspapers was not enough, so Paz decided to help convince the islands’ major retailers to advertise.
“At first, none of the stores wanted to advertise. So, I would go into Joeten, Carmen Safeway and Payless stores and note down their prices of popular items, such as rice and soy sauce. Then, I drew out a comparative column and put in the newspaper so people could see where they could get these items and for how much,” she said.
“Soon after, they each wanted to do their own ads and we started from there. I am proud to be part of helping our local businesses grow, this was another important service of the newspaper that we came to realize,” she added.
<p class=”p1″><em>At first, none of the stores wanted to advertise. So, I would go into Joeten, Carmen Safeway and Payless stores and note down their prices of popular items, such as rice and soy sauce. Then, I drew out a comparative column and put in the newspaper so people could see where they could get these items and for how much.</em>
As the political tensions rose, Paz was also a part of the local Women’s Association that helped bring together the voices of what the female leadership thought about the whole negotiation process.
“We had our columns in the newspaper and shared our thoughts about how we felt, especially about the value of our lands and our ocean. The U.S. Chief Negotiator Hayden Williams took the time to meet with us and discuss our concerns,” she said.
After months of scorched discussions and debates, Marianas Variety recorded the birth of the U.S. Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and the swearing in of its new government in 1978, with a front-page story headlined “Beginning of New Marianas.”
“In that moment, I recalled that early decision we made to take this uncertain step and so glad we did. We were there not only to see it and experience it, but to record it for generations to come,” she said.
When the paper celebrated its fifth-year anniversary, it was a big deal as no other local publication at that point made it past five years.
“We were so happy. We felt we are part of helping our islands, our communities, grow for the better and all the hard work, sacrifice and stress was bearing a worthwhile fruit,” she said.
An active member of the Women’s Association since the 1970’s, Paz continued to participate in women’s regional conferences in Fiji, Cook Islands and Vanuatu during the 1980’s and 90’s, as well as in recent years.
<p class=”p1″><em>I would help with the typesetting and other tasks. We were selling the newspaper for $.10 a copy and it was selling fast because people were thirsty for information. That impressed me a lot, how our people sought to be informed, especially during this important time.</em>
Feeling confident the newspaper was a little more financially stable, Paz decided to return to her passion, which was education, kickstarting a 30-year plus career that would go from teacher to principal then to program director at the CNMI Public School System, when she retired early to help Abed with running the newspaper’s office in Guam.
Over the previous years, she took various roles in Marianas Variety from Typesetter, to HR Manager and then to Operations Manager, which she later passed to her eldest daughter, Laila after she graduated from college and was already working as a news reporter in the Saipan Office.
“Of all that we have achieved with Marianas Variety, I would say that my proudest and pinnacle achievement is having my children continue the business. To know that this important service continues with the next generation, like other family businesses on island, is a fulfilling a dream,” said Paz.
As the CNMI deals with one of its toughest times in history with the global pandemic and gubernatorial elections are on the horizon, Paz hopes local leadership will take the time to understand what happened in the past so more doors could open for the future.
Serving as Chairwoman for a short time during her tenure as Board of Regents Director for the Northern Marianas College in 2009 to 2012, Paz continued to be a proponent of education.
“We have our own tools and resources in front of us, read and understand the Constitution and the Covenant, find the opportunities to bring the kind of discussions and negotiations that will help our Marianas find another new beginning,” she said. “We must continue to encourage independent and critical thinking, as well as the courage to take a stand when needed.”
It is what two individuals did fifty years ago.
Marianas Variety News & Views celebrates half a century of providing a reliable local, regional, and global source of information, news and views, and the woman behind the words, can safely say she knows what it takes to run a successful newspaper.
About the Author
Laila Boyer served as President & Publisher for the Marianas Variety News & Views from 2010 to 2020, General Manager from 2003 to 2010, Operations Manager from 2000-2003 to and News Reporter from 1997-1999, culminating a 23-year career in the family business. She was also active in several nonprofit organizations, such as Saipan Rotary Club, Marianas March Against Cancer, Stellar Marianas and the NMI Girl Scouts. She is proud to have been a part in helping to achieve this milestone for Marianas Variety News & Views and continues to contribute through writing and consulting.
