Barbara Walters had to work hard to become one of the most respected journalists in the field. Throughout her career, she helped open doors for women in journalism. Becoming the first woman to co-host “Today” paved the way for women like Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie, per ABC News.
The anchors reflected on Walters’ legacy on “Today.” Kotb said, “She made all the difference.” Guthrie agreed and recalled when Walters made her exit from “The View.” Guthrie said, “Oh she did, I mean a few years back when she retired from ABC and ‘The View’ they invited newswomen, past, present … it was an amazing moment, Hoda and I got to be there. But she said, ‘All of you are my legacy!’ And it’s really true. She busted down the door.”
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It was not an easy feat for Walters to go into journalism. Kotb shared, “Back in 1976, she was tapped to be the first woman to anchor the evening news, and Harry Reasoner, her co-anchor, did not like her and made no bones about it,” she continued, “…she said the thing that saved her whole life was those Barbara Walters specials because she got to show who she was, and imagine through all of that, and because of her, we get to be here.” Guthrie shared one last sweet sentiment on Walters. She said, “She had to work hard for it, she was incredible.”