Trailblazing journalist Connie Chung: An inspiration to Asian American women

Connie Chung, one of the most prominent Asian American figures in broadcast journalism, has been honored with the Centennial Medal for Inductee Lifetime Achievement by the Asian Hall of Fame, or AHF.

Inducted into the AHF in 2016, Chung received the prestigious award on Monday before an audience in recognition of her groundbreaking contributions to journalism, a trailblazing career and her lasting impact as a role model for the Asian American community.

Recalling her parents' arranged marriage in the 1920s and the loss of five infant children in China, Chung said her mother was "incredibly strong and did not get any credit, like the way many women do not".

Chung's family moved to the United States in 1945, one year before she was born. The biggest hardship her parents faced was the cultural challenges.

"My mission was to honor my father's legacy by carrying on the family name and becoming a breadwinner in my family," Chung shared with the gathering at the Biltmore Los Angeles, adding that she eventually became the breadwinner in her family after her father retired.

She discussed the time when many baby "Connies" were named after her, an unexpected tribute.

Chung also talked about the complexities of her Chinese American identity. "My four older sisters, who were born in China, wanted to be more American. Meanwhile, because I was born in the US, I found myself wanting to be more Chinese," she said.

Chung became the first woman to co-anchor the CBS Evening News and the first Asian to anchor any news program in the United States. The Emmy and Peabody award-winner was also the first Asian to anchor any national network news broadcast.

Despite her impressive achievements, Chung expressed humility about her achievements but acknowledged her role as a trailblazer, particularly for Asian women in the media.

"Being Chinese, I've always been taught to be humbler," Chung told the audience. "I've never been able to declare success. As time passes, I'm beginning to realize that maybe, just maybe, I have left something meaningful behind."

Her recently released book, Connie: A Memoir, explores her career, breaking into what she describes as a "white male-centered world" of the television news industry, revealing the challenges she faced in navigating an industry that often saw her as an outsider.

Fiona Ma, California's state treasurer and the first Asian American woman to serve as the California Assembly speaker pro tempore, shared stories of her heritage as the daughter of Chinese immigrants who settled in the US.

She expressed deep gratitude for role models like Chung.

"My parents also came from China," Ma told China Daily. "Chung and I share that dual perspective of what it's like to grow up with immigrant parents while trying to live the American dream. Without role models and trailblazers like Chung, I don't think I would be where I am today."

Ren Hanami, an actor and 2021 inductee of the AHF, shared her mixed heritage and spoke about the ongoing challenges Asian Americans face in the media and leadership roles.

"We need more icons like Chung. Even after all this time, we still don't have enough representation," Hanami told China Daily.

renali@chinadailyusa.com