Four courageous and concerned women in journalism Marguerite Higgins, Ida M. Tarbell, Ethel L. Payne and Nellie Bly paved the way for today’s female media mavens in a world once dominated by men.

This quartet of heroic and heralded ladies is now being honored on a new set of 37-cent stamps issued by the U.S. Postal Service. The honorees blazed the trail in the field of investigative reporting, war correspondence and political writing that won recognition with many well-earned awards despite tremendous obstacles and prejudices.

Marguerite Higgins (1920-1966) covered World War II, Korea and Vietnam, thus advancing the cause for female war correspondents. In 1951, she was the first woman to win a Pulitzer Prize for international reporting.

Ida M. Tarbell (1857-1944) was an investigative reporter of note. In 1894, while working for McClure’s magazine, she investigated the Standard Oil Co. and the methods that John D. Rockefeller Sr. had used to consolidate his hold on the oil industry.

Ethel L. Payne (1911-1991) was known as the first lady of the black press. She combined advocacy with journalism as she reported on the civil rights movement during the 1950s and 1960s.

Nellie Bly (1864-1923), born Elizabeth Jane Cochran, was hired by the New York World and became known for reform-oriented exposes.

Each stamp features a photo of the honoree, a nameplate of her journalistic affiliation and the 37-cent denomination.