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."
courtesy of the Charlotte Post
