While teaching elementary school, the "Evening Star," a newspaper in Washington, D.C., offered Wells an editorial job. She also wrote weekly articles for "The Living Way" weekly newspaper under the pen name "Iola." She became recognized for writing about the problems black people faced. In 1889, she became co-owner and editor of "Free Speech and Headlight," a newspaper against separation by ethnicity. This newspaper published articles about injustices against black Americans. In 1891, Wells was dismissed from her teaching post by the Memphis Board of Education because of her articles that complained about conditions in the local schools for black students. Wells was sad but she didn't give up. She focused on writing articles for "The Living Way" and "Free Speech and Headlight".