Breaking glass ceiling
requires
fortitude and longevity
Issues facing African American
Women
Beatrice Thompson did not set out to be the first
black female to anchor the news in Charlotte.
Actually, when she was younger, she wanted to be an
archeologist.
"I was fascinated by documentaries...and I liked
antiquities. My cousins hated to play with me, because they didn't know what I
was talking about," reminisced Thompson.
Women historically have always been second when it
came to achievement in business and society. Still, many black women have led,
in spite of the odds; from the first black millionaire being Madame C.J. Walker,
to her contemporary counterpart and media queen Oprah Winfrey.
In Charlotte, they have made their mark, despite
opposition and sometimes confrontation.
As a teeenager, Thompson saw first hand the effects
of urban renewal on black neighborhoods, which in led her into journalism.
"No one explained what was going on," said Thompson.
"There was no redevelopment; just get up and get out. It made me angry. I
watched white realtors use black families as blockbusters...starting white
flight. These kinds of elements went into my decision."
Lee Armstrong president of the North Carolina
Association of Broadcasters, has worked in the television business for 36 years.
She's seen a lot of change for women and minorities.
"It feels like a long time ago when this industry was
male dominated," said Armstrong, vice president and general manger at WSOC-TV.
"It seems to me...when I got into the business, there were more men in the
industry than women, especially in leadership, but I've seen that change at a
more accelerated rate."
"Our business is a reflection of the communities
served," said Armstrong. "As communities have diversified and progressed...on
air personalities have reflected that diversity."
Thompson started her career at Charlotte's WBTV in
1977, but not without some bumps on the road. In 1979, she was the first black
woman to anchor in Charlotte, working on "The Good Morning Show" with Jim
Patterson, and "Top 'O the Day."
"It was not easy for women in general," said
Thompson.
Black women, specifically, were faced with issues
regarding their hair. Though a self-proclaimed "perm lady", Thompson saw others
struggle. "There were clauses in contracts about what they could do with their
hair," said Thompson. "I though they're looking at more superficially; they're
more concerned with our looks than what's said."
While Thompson made her way on television, it was
through television Nina Wright first developed an interest in the law
enforcement field.
"I watched 'Adam-12,' 'Dragnet' and 'Perry Mason',"
she said. "I wanted to do what they were doing. I'd ride around on my
tricycle...making siren noises...and I'd make my friends be the bad guys. My
interest was piqued very early."
However, Wright was sidetracked from her goals when a
lack of "us" made her think twice about policing.
"I saw tall, white males, with a stocky build," said
Wright. "I thought maybe they didn't let us be police officers. I grew up to be
5-2 1/2, I figured I would get laughed at."
Wright initially went into banking, but after a
divorce, needed a second job. As a night auditor at a hotel, she met a
moonlighting Charlotte police officer and asked questions. The officer suggested
Wright try law enforcement.
"Look at me," said Wright, "I can't."
The next night three white women officers came to the
hotel. "I decided I could take all three of them," said Wright. "What he did by
parading them through the door was all I needed."
According to Marita Bryant, committee chairperson
with the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, the first
black woman officer was hired in Los Angeles around 1919.
Prior to 1972, women were required to have a college
degree, while their male counterparts only needed a high school diploma. Women
usually were assigned to the women's bureau or the juvenile unit.
"Beginning in 1972, women started to work in a patrol
role...wearing skirts and high heel shoes...doing the same job as men," said
Bryant. .
Wright started with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police
Department in 1986 as an officer. In just 15 years, Wright rose through the
ranks to deputy chief, becoming the first woman to hold that position in the
Investigative Services Department's history. Yet, Wright faced some dark times.
"Lots of officers are not interested in females or
minorities being here," she said. "As a female, you must always prove yourself.
Guys stand back and let you get into situations... fights...to see if you can
handle yourself." Wright said she was often ostracized by white male co-workers.
"You survive and make it so it's not so bad for the
next [black woman] coming in," she said.
For Wright and Thompson, some of the most difficult
obstacles came not from their peers, but from the community.
"I was called on an alarm call...and the man answered
the door 'I know they didn't send you out here to protect me," said Wright. "How
are you going to help me? Women shouldn't be in law enforcement."
Said Thompson: "Some people were not interested in
talking during interviews because I was black or because I was a woman. One man
tried to talk to my photographer, but not to me. I've talked to people I knew
behind that door was their robe...and I don't mean a judgeship."
Thompson and Wright stand as trailblazers in their
industries, but each admits that they could not have done it without the
strength of their families or the help of others.
"The community has gotten used to females in law
enforcement," said Wright. "We don't have as many [black female executives] as
I'd like to see...but we're progressing as well as we can. "
Thompson feels there is still a lot of work that
needs to be done.
"The day I say I've made it, is the day I get bored
with myself. I had never done radio before...but I will be back in television."
