American writer and journalist Barbara Walters was born on September 25, 1929 in Boston, Massachusetts. Barbara graduated with a bachelor’s degree in English from Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, New York in 1953 and soon landed a job working for an advertising agency. Afterward, Barbara took on a new role as an assistant to the publicity director for a television station based in New York City called NBC. After obtaining a great deal of skills and experience in television production and writing, she was offered a job from the CBS television network as a news and public affairs writer/producer.
As Barbara gained further skills and experience in this field, she continued to receive more job opportunities. In 1961, NBC’s morning show hired Barbara as the Today writer where she did occasional on-air feature stories. Barbara was then asked to be the “Today Girl," but this was a particularly hard job because it conventionally included more than just reading out commercials, performing small talk, and being good-looking. However, Barbara was able to expand beyond this inflexible role and position herself amongst a panel of newsreaders and commentators on the Today Show. Barbara’s knowledge and appearance on camera coupled with her strong journalistic efforts, allowed her to become one of the most well-known people on the show. This also helped Barbara become the co-host of the Today Show with Hugh Downs in 1974 where her excellent work resulted in an Emmy award.
As Barbara gained further skills and experience in this field, she continued to receive more job opportunities. In 1961, NBC’s morning show hired Barbara as the Today writer where she did occasional on-air feature stories. Barbara was then asked to be the “Today Girl," but this was a particularly hard job because it conventionally included more than just reading out commercials, performing small talk, and being good-looking. However, Barbara was able to expand beyond this inflexible role and position herself amongst a panel of newsreaders and commentators on the Today Show. Barbara’s knowledge and appearance on camera coupled with her strong journalistic efforts, allowed her to become one of the most well-known people on the show. This also helped Barbara become the co-host of the Today Show with Hugh Downs in 1974 where her excellent work resulted in an Emmy award.
Soon after, Barbara became the first female co-anchor of an evening network news program when she signed a contract with ABC. During this time, Barbara was the highest-paid journalist with a $1 million yearly salary. This was an enormous accomplishment for a woman during this time, as the industry was male-dominated and women delivering and reporting major stories were accepted by very few, making it difficult for women to create any sort of impact. Later on, in 1997, Barbara became a co-host on the daytime talk show The View. However, in 2014 Barbara announced her retirement from both The View and television news broadcasting as a whole.
Although Barbara said farewell, her fearless efforts caused her to become a huge icon for the public. Barbara is highly recognized for her talent and skills, as she has received many awards including the “Overseas Press Club's highest award, the President's Award, in 1988; induction into the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Hall of Fame in 1990; the Lowell Thomas Award for a career in journalism excellence in 1990, the Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Women's Media Foundation, in 1991; the Muse Award from New York Women in Film and Television in 1997; the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences in 2000; and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2007, as well as 34 daytime and primetime Emmy Awards.” Barbara has also earned honorary doctoral degrees from numerous colleges and universities.
I chose Barbara Walters because she has paved the way for a great number of female broadcasters and journalists. For, she is highly respected in the interviewing field and an inspirational leader to many. She has also interviewed a large number of important and well-known figures. During these interviews, Barbara did an impressive job of asking questions that the public wanted answers to while inserting her personal opinions and comments in order to uncover the truth. Barbara’s style and techniques are extremely effective. Her success has been attributed to her passion and dedication along with leadership characteristics and drive to accomplish her goals. Even though Barbara did not develop the interviewing process, she most definitely has remodeled and improved it.
Barbara Walters Timeline
What a great choice!!! I grew up watching Barbara Walters. People taking it so for granted today that there are so many women at the anchors desk in television news. That certainly was NOT the case when I was growing up back in the 1970s. So it was a VERY big deal when Barbara Walters began taking on the anchor's role on various shows. There was a period when she truly was the most famous woman on television. True pioneer and leader. Glad you got to know her through your research.
ReplyDeleteTwo suggestions: When you see large blocks of type, make some paragraph breaks to make it easier for the reader. Also, the font looks like Times New Roman. I would change it to something like Verdana. Again, easier on the reader.
Great job so far. Thank you for your dedication and hard work!