Women's History Month

Barbara Walters was one of the most influential women on television. She was the first woman to host "The Today" Show and the first female co-anchor in the evening news.  She had established herself on the Today show with her ability to ask the questions the public wants to hear to some of the most influential world leaders like Egyptian president Anwar Sadat, Israeli prime minister Menachem, Princess Diana, Colin Powell, George Clooney, etc.. . Barbara is a glass ceiling breaker in the world of media.  From a time when a woman was not taken seriously in the news, her intelligence and bravery have changed the world of television.

Oprah Winfrey was born in Kosciusko, Mississippi, in 1954 and began her media career in high school.  She is a nominated academy-award actress, one of the world's wealthiest media executives, and a popular television host on "The Oprah Winfrey Show."  Winfrey has consistently been among the top philanthropists in the United States. In 1998, she created Oprah's Angel Network, which supported projects and provided grants to organizations worldwide. She mainly focused on South Africa, where she established the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls. She has won numerous awards for her professional and charitable work, including the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2013.

One of the big names in broadcast journalism, Diane Sawyer, has been seen on Good Morning America, ABC World News, and various special news programs. Sawyer was the first female correspondent on the famous 60 Minutes news show. During Sawyer's five years with 60 Minutes, the program almost consistently ranked among the top five most-watched in the country. Sawyer did about 80 segments for the show, ranging from interviews with tennis star John McEnroe to an exposé on starvation in East Africa. Sawyer remains one of an elite group of television news personalities who can command a multi-million dollar salary while exercising considerable influence over program format and content. She has won numerous Emmy awards and has appeared on Forbes magazine's list of 100 most powerful women every year since its inception.

Connie Chung is the first Asian News Anchor.  Connie Chung also hosted "Eye to Eye with Connie Chung," a popular prime-time television news magazine that highlights interviews with controversial newsmakers. She has become one of the most recognizable personalities in American culture and one of the most sought-after and highly-paid broadcasters in contemporary media.  She had sparked some controversy with her promotion when CBS decided to put her opposite to Dan Rather. "Critics of the move said that it demeaned the institution of network evening news broadcasts, while supporters argued that it elevated minorities and women to a traditionally male domain. As has been the case throughout her career, Chung has had very vocal detractors and supporters. And she found some of the harsher criticisms painful. She commented that her record as a journalist should stand on its own and that she shouldn't have to defend her manner and professional disposition, which some critics have regarded as too fluffy and informal for serious consideration."

Anna May Wong, a famous Chinese American Actress, is known for facing anti-Asian discrimination and racism during her time in Hollywood.  She is an inspiration for greater representation of Asian Americans in film. She currently appears on the US quarter dollar coin.

Maria Elena Salinas 

Salinas is known as the "Voice of Hispanic America" with over three decades as the Noticiero Univision news anchor on US television. She is the first Latino to receive a Lifetime Achievement Emmy. She states it is a "privilege to inform and empower the Latino community". Salinas continues to report news as a contributor to multiple national news outlets.