Connie Chung Reflects on Legacy and Challenges in ’20/20′ Appearance

Connie Chung, a trailblazer in journalism, revealed a surprising legacy while writing her memoir. Despite her groundbreaking career as the second woman and first Asian to co-anchor a network evening newscast, she grappled with doubts about her success. Chung shared her feelings during an interview, reflecting on how difficult it was for her to declare herself a success. “I could never get my arms around declaring myself a success,” she stated, recalling how she observed male colleagues confidently boasting their accomplishments.

Her recent memoir titled “Connie,” which is set to release on Tuesday from Grand Central, documents her journey. One pivotal moment came when she received an unexpected email from a young Asian American woman named Connie Wang. Wang, who had chosen the name Connie after emigrating from China at the age of three, shared her story about how Chung’s influence had echoed throughout her life. This heartfelt message made Chung reconsider her impact.

After her family immigrated, young Connie Wang was asked to select an English name. She chose between Connie or Elmo, inspired by friendly faces seen on television. It wasn’t until attending the University of California, Berkeley, and encountering a larger Asian student body that she discovered many others named Connie. She realized that there was a “sisterhood of Connies” that had been shaped by Chung’s trailblazing career.

Throughout the years, daughters from various immigrant backgrounds named Connie have taken inspiration from Chung’s journey and successes, sometimes even including “Chung” as a middle name. Wang shared that it took her decades to understand the profound impact Chung had on her identity as a woman and Asian American, stating, “I’ve never felt entirely alone; of course, Connie had done it first, done it so courageously, and done it with such style.”

Upon hearing this, Chung was astounded. Now at age 78, she still struggles with acknowledging her success, saying, “Well, kind of,” followed by laughter.

Growing up as the youngest of ten in her family, Chung was initially named by her sisters after the actress Constance Moore from a movie magazine. She was the only child born in America and was characterized as timid in her childhood. However, her career took off when she found her voice working part-time at WTTG-TV in Washington, D.C. After deciding journalism was her calling, she abandoned her biology major and quickly climbed the ranks in the CBS Washington Bureau.

By the time she was 25, she was covering George McGovern’s presidential campaign and was noted as the only female reporter on the campaign bus, marking her as a noteworthy presence in journalism. Chung’s enthusiasm for her work was palpable as she stated, “Once I decided that’s what I wanted to do, I was driven, incredibly driven.”

Chung adeptly navigated a field dominated by men, cultivating a persona that allowed her to handle challenges like sexual harassment with determination. She vividly recalled the moments when powerful figures tried to assert their dominance and her strategy of mimicking the bravado around her to cope. “I was an aardvark,” she humorously referred to herself, emphasizing her distinct presence among a sea of male reporters.

Despite the challenges she faced, Chuong also stayed true to her familial obligations as a dutiful daughter, supporting her immigrant parents throughout her life. Her father’s past as a spy and her family’s harrowing journey during wartime remained with her. “I had a double dose of dutiful,” she explained, recognizing her role as the provider for her family while also charting her own career path.

Her persistence paid off when she became known as a confident anchor and accomplished interviewer. She made history by being the first Asian-American woman to co-anchor “CBS Evening News,” and though it was her dream job, her relationship with her co-anchor Dan Rather was challenging. She faced resistance that made her reconsider her place in the network as she sought to uphold her own standards and contributions.

Chung’s tenure in journalism spanned various networks, culminating in her work at ABC News on “20/20.” Here, she realized the competitive nature of women in the industry wasn’t as supportive as she had expected, leading to realizations about workplace dynamics that persisted in media.

Ultimately, Chung’s experiences illuminate the harsh realities of navigating a male-dominated profession, while simultaneously inspiring countless women along the way. The legacy she forged as a pioneer continues to resonate today, reminding many of the trailblazing path she carved in journalism.

Source: USA TODAY