5 Women Who Changed Television

I decided I wanted to make another themed post since it's still Women's History Month. This post focuses on women who changed television. Also this will be my last post on Women's History Month as I have an Easter themed post planned for next week and of course my monthly TCM picks post.

Mary Tyler Moore

Moore is probably best known for The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970-1977) which I like to say housed the 3 F's: Funny, Feminism and Fashion! The show was groundbreaking for the 1970s and I still feel women today can relate to it. Showing a woman who was 30 and single and had a job- in an all male workplace I might add. Moore won 3 Emmys Awards and the show won a total of 29 Emmys throughout the series run. Moore and then husband, Grant Tinker founded MTM Enterprises which in addition to The Mary Tyler Moore Show also produced The Bob Newhart Show, St. Elsewhere and Hill Street Blues among others. 

Diahann Carroll

Carroll was the first African-American woman to anchor her own TV series, Julia (1968-1971). She played a widowed nurse raising her son. Carroll was the first African-American to be nominated for an Emmy Award and won an Golden Globe in 1968. 

Bea Arthur

You either know Bea Arthur as Dorothy Zbornak from The Golden Girls or you know her as Maude Findlay from the series Maude (1972-1978). This post focuses on Arthur's Maude days. Maude Findlay was known as the outspoken, liberal feminist first shown as Edith Bunker's cousin on All in the Family. Maude was a really radical show for it's time covering controversial topics such as abortion. Which is just what Maude did when finding out about an unexpected pregnancy. Arthur once said it was easy playing both Maude and Dorothy as the characters had similar political viewpoints on the country and that's what made them believable. 

Barbara Walters

Walters was the first female co-anchor on The Today Show and later became the first female news anchor on ABC Evening News. Walter's has won several Daytime Emmy Awards, mostly as part of the panel on The View. Walters paved the way for future women anchors like Diane Sawyer and Connie Chung. 

Gilda Radner

Sure other funny ladies came before her but I feel like Gilda owes a spot on my list. Also I'm biased and a big fan so naturally I had to include her! Radner was on of the original Not Ready for Primetime Players on Saturday Night Live (1975-1980) which earned her an Emmy in 1978. Her memorable characters included Roseanne Roseannadanna, Emily Litella and Lisa Loopner. She has influenced many women in comedy including Tina Fey and Amy Poehler and actresses like Emma Stone. 

This is only a small portion of the many women who have changed television. Other women include: Donna Reed, Carol Burnett and Lucille Ball and more. Do your own research and you might be surprised with your results. 

Until Next Time,

Ashley A.