Simpson, Carole Estelle

1940-present · Contribution: 1965-2006

Broadcast journalist; anchor

Became the first African American woman to anchor a major U.S. network newscast when NBC News hired her as a correspondent in 1975, and, after 15 years anchoring ABC’s World News Tonight weekend edition, became in 1992 the first woman and first person of color to serve as sole moderator of a U.S. presidential debate

Press & Photography: collage image
Press & Photography

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Quick facts

Born
1940, Chicago, Illinois
Active since
1965
Category
Press & Photography
Best known for
First woman and first person of color to solo-moderate a U.S. presidential debate

Impact on the world

Simpson broke a series of firsts, in Chicago radio, in local and network anchoring, and on the presidential debate stage, opening broadcast journalism's highest platforms to women and people of color.

An alternative history

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Sources

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    American Academy of Arts and Sciences

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