Sarah-Ann Shaw facts for kids

Sarah-Ann Shaw (born November 6, 1933 – died March 21, 2024) was an important American journalist. She worked as a television reporter for WBZ-TV from 1969 to 2000. Sarah-Ann Shaw was famous for being the first African-American woman reporter on TV in Boston.

She was also very active in the civil rights movement. This movement worked for equal rights for all people. Shaw also volunteered in many education programs. She received many awards for her work. These awards came from groups like the NAACP and the Museum of Afro-American History.

Early Life and Education

Sarah-Ann Shaw was born in the Roxbury area of Boston. Her parents were very involved in their community. Her father, Norris King Jr., was active in the Roxbury Democratic Club. Her mother, Annie Bell Bomar King, worked with Melnea Cass. Melnea Cass was a well-known civil rights leader.

When she was a student, Shaw was active at St. Mark's Social Center. She went to William P. Boardman Elementary School and Henry Lee Higginson Elementary School. She finished high school at Boston Latin Academy. This school was once called Girl's Latin School. During this time, she was part of the NAACP Youth Movement. After high school in 1952, Shaw briefly studied at Boston University.

Career as a Reporter

In the early 1960s, Sarah-Ann Shaw joined the Boston Action Group. This group worked with St. Mark's Social Center. Later, she became the director of the Boston Northern Student Movement. She led many projects to help people learn about voting and register to vote. She also supported programs that helped with housing and other rights.

After that, she managed Boston's anti-poverty program. This program was called Neighborhood Operations for ABCD. She also oversaw a health education program at the Ecumenical Center.

In 1968, Shaw first appeared on television. It was on a show called Say Brother, which is now known as Basic Black. After being on the show many times, WBZ-TV hired her in 1969. She became Boston's first African-American female reporter. Shaw worked hard to change unfair ideas about different groups of people. She did special reports that showed the important things minorities had done in Massachusetts.

Personal Life

Sarah-Ann Shaw was married and had one child. She also had two grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Her daughter, Klare E. Shaw, is a leader in helping non-profit groups. In 1999, she became the executive director of the Boston Globe Foundation.

Sarah-Ann Shaw passed away on March 21, 2024. She was 90 years old.

Awards and Recognition

Sarah-Ann Shaw received many important awards over the years:

• 1998: National Association of Black Journalists' "Lifetime Achievement Award"
• 2000: Emerson College RTNDA's (Radio Television News Direction Association) "Lifetime Achievement Award"
• 2000: Society of Newspaper Editors' "Yankee Quill Award"
• 2001: Boston Celtics' "'A Hero Among Us' Award"
• 2002: The Woman of Courage's "Community Service Award"
• 2002: Psi Omega Chapter of AKA Sorority's "Community Service Award"
• 2003: Massachusetts Women's Political Caucus Abigail Adams Award
• 2004: Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Community Legend Award
• 2005: Harlem Book Fair-Roxbury's "Charles Yancey Literacy Award"
• 2006: The Advent School Mona Hull Award for Education
• 2007: Teen Voices' "Intergenerational Activist Award"
• 2007: Charles Hamilton Houston Institute and the City of Boston's "Local Hero Award"
• 2007: Roxbury Community College's "Community Service Award"
• 2008: Roxbury Action Program's "In Sight Award"
• 2008: Broadcasters Hall of Fame induction
• 2009: Roxbury Collaborative's "Unsung Hero Award"
• 2014: Berklee City Music's "Unsung Heroes Award"

She also received awards from many other groups. These included the Black Educator's Alliance of Massachusetts and Boston Mayor Thomas Menino. Other groups were The Boston Branch NAACP, The Boston Association of Black Journalists, and The Irish Immigration Center. She also got awards from ABCD, Rosie's Place, and the Cambridge YWCA.

Shaw on receiving the City of Boston's African-American achievement award in 1996 by Mayor Thomas Menino: —

"I'm surprised, touched and teary about receiving this award," she added, "You can't be in this world alone; you have to stand up for what's right."