Ruth Allen Ollison facts for kids

Ruth Allen Ollison is an amazing African-American journalist from Houston, Texas. She made history by becoming the first African-American woman to be a news director in a major city, working at KDAF. Ruth spent over 20 years working in broadcast journalism, holding many different important jobs.

About Ruth Allen Ollison

Ruth Allen Ollison was born in a small town in Texas. Before she became a journalist, she worked as a waitress. Ruth is married to Quincy, and they have a son named Jacob. She also went to college to earn advanced degrees in divinity and ministry. She studied at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and Wesley Theological Seminary.

Ruth's Journalism Career

Ruth Ollison worked as a journalist in many places. She worked in different news departments across Texas and in Washington, D.C.. She was the assistant news director at WTTG-TV in Washington D.C. Ruth also worked for news groups in San Antonio, Houston, and Dallas, Texas.

Starting a News Department

She even helped start the NBC news station in Tyler, Texas. She also managed the KDAF and KXAS channels in Dallas. Ruth is known for being a "turnaround specialist." This means she is very good at helping news departments that are struggling to become successful.

Involvement with Black Journalists

In 1989, Ruth Ollison ran for president of the National Association of Black Journalists. She was a regional director for this organization for four years. This group helps support African-American journalists.

After Broadcasting

After her long career in TV news, Ruth decided to help her community in a different way. She transformed an old, neglected building in Houston into the Beulah Land Community Church. She became the spiritual leader and founder of this church.

Ruth also taught at several universities. She was a professor at Houston Baptist University, Houston Graduate School of Theology, and B.H. Carroll Theological Institute. Today, she works as a government contractor and coaches people who work in broadcasting. She continues to help news departments improve.

Ruth's Important Work in Journalism

Ruth Ollison is famous for starting the news department at an NBC station in Tyler, Texas. She also helped many news departments in Texas and Washington D.C. become much better. Ruth led news departments that won Emmy Awards, which are very important awards for TV shows. She is known for being a "turnaround specialist" because she can fix struggling news teams.

Her work has inspired many women leaders, like Patricia Vice. You can even see some of Ruth Ollison's work on the "Women Who Lead" show from HCCTV.

Ruth's Impact and Legacy

In 1985, Ruth Ollison made history. She became the first African-American woman to be a News Director in one of the top ten biggest TV markets. This was because of her great work at KDAF in Dallas, Texas.

Ruth worked for 20 years in broadcast communication. She helped many news departments improve throughout her career. She was a news director at KETK in Tyler, Texas. She also served as assistant news director for Fox Channel 5 in Washington D.C. Ruth was a big supporter of having many different kinds of people in newsrooms. She actively looked for African-American news reporters to hire. She also worked to make inner-city Houston a better place by starting her church ministry.

Praise for Ruth Ollison

The National Association of Black Journalists has said that Ruth Ollison is very strong in news reporting, anchoring, and management. The Atlanta Daily World newspaper also praised her for her work as a news executive. They said she helped make many news networks better. People have also praised Ruth for her important contributions to the Beulah Land Community Church.

Awards and Recognition

Ruth Ollison's amazing work in broadcast journalism has earned her a special place. She was honored in the National Association of Black Journalist's Hall of Fame.

• NABJ Hall of Fame (2012)

See also

• National Association of Black Journalists Hall of Fame