During her four-decade career, Simpson was the first African-American woman to anchor a local newscast in Chicago, serve as a national network television correspondent, and anchor a national network newscast - ABC’s World News Tonight. She was also the first woman or minority to moderate a presidential debate.
Simpson relates her experiences in her memoir, NewsLady, in which she recounts how she endured and conquered sex discrimination and racial prejudice to reach the top ranks of her profession. Along the way she covered some of the most important news events of the time – walking alongside Martin Luther King, Jr. as he marched, and helping anchor live ABC News coverage of Nelson Mandela’s release from his 27-year imprisonment.
Simpson retired from ABC News in 2006 to become Leader-in-Residence at Emerson College’s School of Communication in Boston, where she teaches courses in public affairs reporting, political communication, broadcast journalism, and serves as writing coach for Journalism students.
Free and open to the public, Simpson’s lecture for 5:30pm in the 2nd Floor Amphitheater of University Hall, followed by a reception and book signing at 6:30pm.
This event is sponsored by the University Diversity Council at Lesley University, whose mission is to help all members of the Lesley community find common ground, while providing opportunities to value and support diversity-related efforts at the University and in the community.