Liz Walker (journalist) facts for kids
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Liz Walker is an American pastor and a journalist who is now retired. She made history as the first Black woman to be a main news anchor in Boston, Massachusetts, United States. Since 2014, she has been the Pastor of the Roxbury Presbyterian Church.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Growing Up in Little Rock
Liz Walker grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas. Her father was a minister. She graduated from Little Rock Central High School in 1969. She often said that her education there helped her achieve many great things in life.
College and Beyond
After high school, Liz Walker went to Olivet College in Michigan. There, she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications. Later, in 2005, she continued her studies at Harvard Divinity School. She earned a master's degree, where she focused on religion and topics important to women.
Professional Groups
Liz Walker is part of several important professional groups. These include the National Association of Black Journalists, Sigma Delta Chi, and American Women in Radio and Television.
Career as a Journalist
Starting in News
Liz Walker began her career in her hometown of Little Rock, Arkansas. She worked at a TV station called KATV, where she was the public affairs director. This job helped her learn a lot about how news and public information work.
Moving to Major Cities
After her start in Little Rock, Liz Walker worked in other big cities. She had on-air jobs in Denver at KMGH-TV and in San Francisco at KRON-TV. Her experience grew as she moved to different news markets.
Becoming a Boston Anchor
In 1980, Liz Walker moved to Boston. She became the evening news anchor at WBZ-TV in 1981. She was a very well-known and respected journalist in the city. In 1987, her pregnancy was announced publicly. This led to some discussions among local religious leaders about her role as a public figure and role model for young people.
A New Path
After reporting on a story about the Lost Boys of Sudan, Liz Walker started to think differently about her life. This experience deeply affected her. It inspired her to enroll at the Harvard Divinity School in September 2001. In January 2002, she produced her own documentary about Sudan. It was called In the Lion's Mouth.
Becoming a Pastor
Liz Walker became the Pastor of the Roxbury Presbyterian Church in May 2014. Before that, she had served as a "transitional leader" for the church since 2011. She left her position as minister of the Roxbury Presbyterian Church on December 25, 2021.
Awards and Recognition
Broadcasting Honors
Liz Walker has received many awards for her work. She has been inducted into the Massachusetts Broadcasters Hall of Fame. This honor recognizes her important contributions to broadcasting in the state. She has also won two Emmy Awards, which are very prestigious awards in television.
Other Achievements
In 2001, the Crittenton Women's Union gave her the Amelia Earhart Award. This award celebrates women who have achieved great things. Her reporting on Sudan also earned her an Edward R. Murrow Award in 2002. This award was for a News Story from the Regional Television Radio News Director's Association.
Personal Life
Liz Walker has a son named Nik Walker, who is an actor. She was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, and her father was a minister.
