At the dawn of NPR, in 1971, it was nearly impossible for a woman to get a job in journalism. In television and radio, a woman might be able to get a job as a researcher or as a behind-the-scenes person, but getting on the air was impossible. And even in print, where you'd think it'd be less important, it was hard for women to get byline jobs. They worked in only support roles, secretarial roles.
And yet, through the fledgling National Public Radio network, four women emerged from obscurity into the spotlight of fame. Their voices forever changed the broadcast media landscape in the United States. Those voices belonged to Susan Stamberg, Linda Wertheimer, Nina Totenberg, and Cokie Roberts, the Founding Mothers of NPR.
Now, their stories are told by journalist and author Lisa Napoli in her new book titled, Susan, Linda, Nina, & Cokie: The Extraordinary Story of the Founding Mothers of NPR.
Tune in to MTPR May 06 at 4 p.m. or listen here to learn more about NPR's Founding Mothers.