TV Anchor: Diane Sawyer
Background
Diane Sawyer has led the way for women in TV broadcasting by leading the way for women to be on television. Her work at CBS and 60 Minutes has led the way for women to be more accepted on screen. Sawyer graduated from Wellesley in English. She later worked at a Kentucky news station as a weather girl, where at the time, that was a common position for women who wanted to be on air. Later on, she was able to work in President Nixon's press office in 1970, where she left when he resigned in 1974.
(Diane Sawyer with President Nixon, courtesy of The National Archives Catalog)
Impact
Sawyer had led women in the early 70's and 80's to come out of the "traditional role". While Sawyer worked at WKLY-TV in Louisville Kentucky, she was a weather girl; a common role for women if they wanted any spotlight on-air. After broadcasts, Sawyer spent her own time learning how to work studio equipment and editing film. Eventually, her hard work did not go unnoticed, and was later pursuing stories that lead her to become a full-time reporter, one of the first for women.
(Diane Sawyer interviewing Caitlyn Jenner, courtesy of ABC News)
Accomplishments
- 1967 – 1970: WLKY-TV Louisville
- 1970 – 1978: Worked with President Nixon in the Press Office
- 1978 – 1984: CBS
- 1984 - 1989: 60 Minutes
- 1989 – 1998: Primetime Live
- 1998 – 2000: 20/20
- 1999 – 2009: Good Morning America
- 2000 – 2006: Primetime Thursday/Primetime Live
- 2009 – 2014: ABC
Quotes by Diane Sawyer
“Whatever you want in life, other people are going to want it too. Believe in yourself enough to accept the idea that you have an equal right to it.”
"Follow what you are genuinely passionate about and let that guide you to your destination."
(This page was researched and written by Matt Dresselhouse.)
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