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| Chicago Broadcasting Legend Merri Dee To Be Inducted Into NABJ Hall Of Fame |
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| Written by Larz | |||
| Saturday, 08 January 2011 16:28 | |||
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Chicago broadcasting legend Merri Dee will be among five superstar journalists being inducted into the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) Hall of Fame, the organization's highest honor. The ceremony will be taking place later this month, on Thursday, January 27th, at the Newseum in downtown Washington, DC.
Merri Dee got her start in Chicago on south-suburban (Harvey) radio station WBEE-AM, where she was known on-air as "Merri Dee, the Honey Bee". She then found her way to television, working at WCIU-TV, WSNS-TV and WGN-TV. In 1972, Dee became one of the first African-American women to anchor the news in a major market. She used her celebrity status to help many charities and causes. She helped raise funds and awareness for the homeless, victims of domestic violence, and especially, the care and adoption of orphans. In 1998, Illinois Governor Jim Edgar commended Merri Dee for her efforts, which resulted in an increase of adoptions in IL by more than 50%. Dee hosted telethons for the United Negro College Fund Telethon and Easter Seals. She also helped draft the nation's first-ever Victim's Bill of Rights here in Illinois -- which in turn, served as a model for other states to draft similar legislation. In 1983, Dee became WGN-TV's Director of Community Development and helped raise over $31 million in donations for the station's various charitable programs and initiatives. Considering how horrible Merri Dee's personal life was at times -- both parents dead at an early age, abused by a step-mother, a single mother at an early age, and nearly dying after being kidnapped, shot in the head twice & left for dead on the side of a highway -- her professional success and infectious positive spirit are that much more remarkable. (See more about her amazing life story on the CRM Video Page HERE.) Just over 2 years ago, Ms. Dee retired after 37 years of working for WGN-TV and a 42 year career in Chicago media. Over the last 18 years, the NABJ has annually inducted over 40 journalists into the esteemed Hall of Fame, paying tribute to African-American journalists who have made outstanding contributions to the industry and been trailblazers for others to follow. Other inductees this year include: Ed Bradley (CBS News/"60 Minutes"), JC Hayward (WUSA-TV), Eugene Robinson (The Washington Post), and Ray Taliaferro (KGO-AM). Also, Walterene Swanston (NPR) will receive the Ida B. Wells Award. The NABJ will also be awarding two new Fellowships, one of which will be named for the late Vernon Jarrett, who wrote for the Chicago Tribune and Chicago Defender. Jarrett himself was a 2008 NABJ Hall of Fame inductee (posthumously). For tickets to this event or more information, visit the NABJ website at this link HERE. 
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