Connie: A Memoir by Connie Chung

When I was young, there were not many female role models in the world of television journalism. Only three who stand out to me: Barbara Walters, Jane Pauley and Connie Chung. In a field plagued by not only misogyny but also overt racism, Chung became a trailblazer by being the first Asian woman to host the evening news on CBS. "Connie: A Memoir" is a witty, intelligent, deep dive into one of the true icons of network news. She is the youngest of 10 children, and the only one born in the United States. The others were born in China, where the only three boys in the family died young. Her parents put incredible pressure on her not only to succeed, but to succeed financially to support their own lifestyle. She was a hard worker but also an ambitious one. Despite being passed over by various men including Dan Rather, she never gave up or doubted her own worth. She just moved on, determined to play in a field dominated by white anchormen. Along the way she helped and encouraged other women, and became the inspiration for hundreds of Asian women across the nation who were named Connie in her honor. Her life behind the camera is equally interesting and includes insight into her long-time marriage to television personality Maury Povich, as well as their two daughters and one son. This book is not only a well-written memoir but also a historical analysis of the broadcasting business over the last five decades. Well done, Connie Chung. To buy this book on Amazon click here.