Michele Clark facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Michele E. Clark
|
|
|---|---|
| Born | June 2, 1943 |
| Died | December 8, 1972 (age 29) |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater |
|
| Occupation | Journalist |
| Known for | First black woman network reporter for CBS Television |
Michele E. Clark (born June 2, 1943 – died December 8, 1972) was an amazing American journalist. She made history as the first African-American woman to report on television for CBS News. Michele was a correspondent at WBBM-TV and covered important political events. Sadly, she died in a plane crash in 1972 when she was just 29 years old. At the time, she was looking into the Watergate scandal. Many people believe her death ended a very promising career too soon. A high school in Chicago, Michele Clark Magnet High School, is named in her honor.
Contents
Michele's Early Life and School
Michele Clark was born in Gary, Indiana, on June 2, 1943. Her parents were Harvey Clark, Jr. and Johnetta Clark. Her father was a World War II veteran. He also worked as a bus driver and managed an appliance store. Michele had a younger brother, Harvey Clark, who also became a reporter.
Michele went to the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools. She also studied at Grinnell College and Roosevelt University. In 1972, she graduated from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. Before becoming a reporter, Michele worked for United Airlines. She also worked as a model.
Michele's Career in Journalism
Michele Clark started her journalism career at WBBM-TV in Chicago. This was a CBS television station. She became a CBS News correspondent when very few women or African Americans worked as network reporters. She was hired around the same time as three other important women: Connie Chung, Lesley Stahl, and Sylvia Chase. Michele was the first black woman to be a network reporter for CBS Television.
Even though she was a new reporter, Michele was given a big job. She covered the 1972 Democratic Party presidential primaries for CBS. This was a very important political event. Many people called this her "most prominent assignment." She was even set to become a correspondent on the famous TV show 60 Minutes in 1973.
Michele's Tragic Death
Michele Clark died on December 8, 1972. She was only 29 years old. She was on United Air Lines Flight 553 when it crashed at Midway Airport. When she died, Michele was reporting on the Watergate scandal. This scandal was about a big political cover-up.
Because she was working on Watergate, some people wondered if her death was connected. This led to some conspiracy theories about the plane crash. However, there is no evidence to support these theories.
Honoring Michele Clark
Many people remember Michele Clark as a "star" journalist. They believe she died at the start of a very promising career. At her funeral, a CBS executive named Richard S. Salant said her death was like if a famous journalist, Ed Murrow, had died very young.
A high school in Chicago is named after her. It is called Michele Clark Magnet High School. The school was first opened in 1972. It was renamed in Michele's honor in 1974.
After Michele's death, a special summer program at Columbia University was renamed. It became the Michele Clark Fellowship Program for Minority Journalists. This was partly because she worked hard to keep the program going when it needed money.
Michele Clark is also the namesake for the first fellowship of the Radio Television Digital News Association. This is called the Michele Clark Fellowship. CBS television has continued to remember and honor her.
