Chicago Tribune and Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter Patricia Callahan encouraged cherubs to use journalism for social justice.

“People say you do all this hard work and you don’t get paid anything,” said Ingrid Sydenstricker, of New York. “But in Callahan’s case, she did phenomenal reporting, wrote really great stories, people read it, and in the end, she made sure that those horrors won’t happen again. That’s awesome.”

Callahan, who shared the Pulitzer in 2008 with other Tribune reporters for their investigative reporting on faulty governmental regulation of toys, car seats and cribs, showed cherubs the rewarding side of journalism. She described her work, which helped spur changes in consumer product safety laws and led to the recall of hazardous products.

Callahan’s story started when she investigated a child who died because of a faulty toy. She said she was interested in social justice from her earliest days.

“It’s something that has always been in me,” Callahan said. “Until you really try it, you never know what it’s like.”

Michele Ko, of New York, said Callahan was the first Pulitzer Prize winner she met in person.

“She was so modest about it,” Ko said. “She spoke to us as if she was our friend.”

Callahan talked about the steps she took as an investigative reporter and said journalism sometimes requires staying with a story for more than a year.

“Trish confirmed that journalism is all about the truth and persistence,” Ko said. “She worked on a piece for years. Journalism is all about exposing the bad and having a voice for people who don’t have a voice.”

Gabriel Rosenberg, of Pennsylvania, said Callahan highlighted the importance of interviewing in person as opposed to phone interviews and emailing.

“Even if it’s out of your way or difficult, go for it, because most likely it’s going to be worth it,” he said. “I knew that it worked, but she was evidence that it worked.”

Callahan also inspired cherubs to seek change.

“I have ups and downs with journalism,” Sydenstricker said. “Some days, I think that it’s the best career ever, and other days, I can’t imagine myself doing this. When she spoke, I couldn’t imagine doing anything else. She was definitely an inspiration.”

Callahan provided a role model for cherubs who want to make the world a better place.

“She was just one woman, but she was able to make such a big difference,” Ko said. “That really inspired me to become a journalist, because I want to make a change.”