Carry forward the legacy of accountability journalism
Your gift trains Orange County’s next watchdog reporters on the job, in the city halls and public agencies they cover.
The legacy of Tracy A. Wood
A career built on courage and accountability
Tracy Wood spent decades as one of California’s most respected journalists. She covered the governor’s office, the Legislature and the political decisions that shaped public life. As a foreign correspondent in Asia, she was one of the first women to report from the front lines of the Vietnam War.
Relentless in pursuit of the truth
Tracy believed the public deserves to know how power works. She dug into public records, checked every fact and asked the questions others avoided. She cared more about getting it right than about getting a headline.
Strengthening local journalism
At Voice of OC, Tracy brought that rigor to city halls, public agencies and the decisions that reach residents’ daily lives. Her reporting on public spending, political influence and government transparency helped residents hold officials accountable.
A mentor who shaped a newsroom
Tracy also taught. She held young reporters to a clear standard: accuracy over speed and fairness over opinion. Colleagues remember the question she asked of every story: “What does this mean?”
A legacy that lives on
When Tracy died in 2020, she left a way of doing journalism rooted in public service. It continues in every story Voice of OC pursues and every reporter we train.
Help carry Tracy’s legacy forward
Training the next generation of watchdog journalists
The Tracy Wood Fellowship turns her legacy into reporting. Fellows at Voice of OC:
● cover city council and public agency meetings
● report on housing, public safety and local policy
● publish stories read by thousands of Orange County residents
● learn how to hold power accountable
They’re trained the way Tracy trained her reporters: “Get it first, but first get it right.”
More reporters, more accountability
Each fellow means more scrutiny of public spending and more coverage of city halls and public agencies, at a time when other local newsrooms are shrinking. Your gift puts that reporting into your community now.
