She’s an icon, she’s a legend, and she is the moment. Connie Chung is the trailblazing veteran broadcaster who worked her way up from being a copy-girl at a local news station to anchoring one of the most popular nightly newscasts, CBS Evening News. To get there, she had to make it through the “boys club” of the 70s newsroom. Think: Mad Men, but news. She says it could’ve been worse. But she made it work by being just as confident as they were.
In this episode of 9 to 5ish, Connie shares:
The impact of growing up around four strong-willed sisters
How she defied the racist and sexist stereotypes men had of her
Her biggest regret of her career and how she reconciles it now
Why getting fired from CBS Evening News proved to be serendipitous
A cameo from her husband, Maury Povich. Yes, that Maury
On The Satisfaction of Outwitting the Men at Work
Connie: I had always known that I had an unfiltered mouth. I thought it was effective because it threw the guys off. Here I was, a little lotus blossom, and they thought I was demure and quiet. I would throw a bomb at them before they threw one at me. So it was sort of like throwing them off kilter. And they didn't really know what to say, they were left speechless. And I loved the fact that they were left speechless.
On the Difficulty of Standing Up For Herself
Connie: I really tried to tell them…don't lay it all on my shoulders just because the men don't want to do it doesn't mean that you can press me to do it. I couldn't convince them. I just could not. They would say things like, “take it for the team.” I really took male figures deep in my soul and obeyed them. And I think that comes from being Chinese. My father requiring me to do X, Y, or Z. And my mother, same thing. And I think that it's just being that dutiful Chinese daughter, still infiltrated my professional life. And I regret it, not being tougher and telling them “no” the way the men did.
On Finally Embracing Her Success
Connie: I never could declare success. I don't know why. I couldn't embrace it. I couldn't get my arms around it. But as soon as I learned about this “Connie Generation”, it sort of hit me between the eyes and made me realize I must have had an impact. My husband, Maury, who truly has been my consigliere from the beginning, has always said, “you're Jackie Robinson of news”. And I'd go, “No, Maury.” And he's gotten so frustrated over the years telling me I need to embrace what he thinks I created. And it wasn't until Connie came along that I realized, you know, he was right. And I thought, “you're right for the first time in your life.”
Listen and subscribe to our podcast from your mobile device: Apple podcasts | Spotify
Live Smarter
Sign up for the Daily Skimm email newsletter. Delivered to your inbox every morning and prepares you for your day in minutes.