First Laddy of u.s. Radio

New Zealand Listener, Volume 36, Issue 924, 26 April 1957, Page 25

First Laddy of u.s. Radio

by

KATHLEEN

AYRES

HEN Pauline Frederick began her career as a radio broadcaster in the United States more than a decade ago, the network for which she worked thought she . should _ specialise in women’s news. Miss Frederick was not happy about that. "I never believed there was such. a thing as ‘women’s news,’" she said. "I think news is news; that’s all." In her own career this distinguished former journalist, who has_ reported major events around the world, has proved her point. Now the only woman news analyst on any U.S. national radio network, she has established a reputation that most men commentators envy. She has also appeared many times on television programmes, but radio is her forte. The way in which she made her own bio chance is typical of Pauline Fred-

erick’s tenacity and ability. She worked her way into covering the first Four Nations Foreign Ministers’ conference by being on duty one critical evening when there just wasn’t a man available. From that time on, the conference was hers and she has gone on to become a specialist in international affairs and politics. At American University in Washington she earned a bachelor’s de-

gree. in political science and a master’s degree in international law, and spent her spare time listening to the debates in the U.S. Congress. It was during that period that, briefly, her zeal for a journalistic career waned. For a time she thought of becoming a lawyer, but accepted the advice of. a history professor to return to her original field of interest. While working as a free-lance reporter, she took a part-time job gathering and analysing news for a popular male ‘broadcaster. Although he warned her to "stay away from radio," since it did not offer great opportunities for women, Pauline soon set her heart on having a news programme of her own. However, it was some time before she reachd her goal. In 1945 she became accredited as a foreign correspond-

ent for a news syndicate, made a tour of 19 countries and increased her reputation for accurate, frank reporting. On her return she moved a step nearer her goal when a radio network made her its first woman reporter pon politics. The following year she started to alternate with a man as United Nations reporter and commentator. By 1948 she had achieved her ambition. "Pauline Frederick Reporting," a general news programme, became a regular five-day-a-week radio feature, and later a Sunday programme, "Pauline Frederick at the UN" was added. When the Soviet-imposed blockade of Berlin was lifted in 1949, Pauline Frederick was the only woman to report the event for U.S. radio. After covering the negotiations in New York City, she flew to Germany, flew both directions on the airlift, then rode the first train back into Berlin. After completing other special broadcasts in Europe, Miss Frederick was present to report the Paris meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers. As a political reporter and commentator, Miss Frederick is also outstanding in her profession. Since 1948 she has been covering the national conventions .of both major political parties, analysing election prospects and. returns, and reporting Presidential inaugurations. At the two conventions held in 1956 she added another distinction to her already long list. Although a_ record number of women were participating in the coverage, Miss Frederick was the first ever to be assigned the job as "anchor man" for her radio network. In that pivotal job she assembled the reports of other team members, announced and analysed the hour-to-hour, minute-to-minute developments. On the air more than any other member of the network team, one day she was before the microphone, either speaking or ready to broadcast at a moment’s notice, for a total of 10 hours, The accomplishments of this attractive, smooth-voiced young woman have brought her many honours. A women’s honorary professional fraternity and a leading U.S. women’s magazine have named her the outstanding woman in her field. In 1954 she became the first woman ever to win the duPont Commentator Award given "for meritorious service to-the American people." A year later she was the first woman me of the Peabody Award (comparable to a Pulitzer Prize) for her "contribution to international understanding." The citation noted her "honesty, independence of judgment, high sense of integrity and personal devotion to the important basic values of our culture." 4 }