Barbara Boyd (Finding Aid)

Barbara Boyd

1929 -

Favorite Color: Everything but blue

Favorite Food: Steak, Potatoes, And Salad

Favorite Time of Year: Summer

Interview Length: 118 minutes

Interview Date(s): July 11, 2000

Interview Location(s): Residence of Barbara Boyd, Indianapolis, Indiana

Abstract

Born and raised in Evanston, Illinois, Barbara Boyd is the only child of Ernest and Alberta Andry. Her father worked for a cleaners and eventually started his own business--a transfer company, or moving company. Her father's words were intended to instill pride in young Barbara Boyd; he believed that there were no limits to an Andry's potential. Her mother, a housewife, also encouraged and supported Boyd in her pursuits. Grandparents and cousins played important roles in Barbara Boyd's family life. Boyd visited relatives in the South and was constantly surprised by this unfamiliar region of the United States. Life in "The North Shore," the collective suburbs north of Chicago, Illinois, was full for Barbara Boyd, despite her being an only child. She describes her childhood with stories of her love of the movies and her penchant for performance. Her adolescence was also a memorable period, a social time during which she mingled with the other young men and women of the North Shore. As a child and young adult, Barbara Boyd had a love of the performing arts. She awaited regular trips to see theatrical performances in Chicago, Illinois. Among those who would accompany her to these productions was the famed author of 'A Raisin in the Sun,' Lorraine Hansberry, and Hansberry's cousin, Shauneille Perry. Upon graduation from high school, Boyd looked forward to attending college at The University of Illinois, Champaign, an environment in which she ultimately thrived. The social setting, in general, and her chosen speech curriculum, specifically, contributed to her positive experience. After college she was introduced to and eventually married Theodore 'Ted' Boyd, a generous and gentle YMCA employee. She undertook several administrative jobs, many relating to Jewish community relations. In a position with Head Start, an education preparation organization, she came upon an opportunity to work for Channel 6, WRTV Indianapolis, Indiana. After a successful interview, she was hired to work for the net Without any formal journalism training, Barbara Boyd embarked on a career in television broadcasting. She learned important journalism lessons from her helpful colleagues at Channel 6, WRTV Indianapolis, Indiana. Her husband, Theodore Boyd, and their three children also gave her the support that enabled her to succeed in the time-intensive field. The story that catapulted Barbara Boyd's career included coverage of her own struggle with breast cancer. Upon finding a lump in her breast, she began to consider what a great story her experience and the Reach for Recovery program, a support group for women undergoing mastectomies, would make. She did not initially recognize her story as brave or courageous, but rather newsworthy. She goes on to describe her most memorable story, one that portrayed life on a southern Indiana commune, Padanaram, led by Daniel Wright. Ten years later, she revisited the same location; this time significant changes were apparent. Years later she began to recognize the effect that she ha Barbara Boyd discusses the enormous influence that media figures wield. She found that viewers took her on-air commentary to be unequivocally true. For this reason, she claims that journalists should uphold ethics. Boyd recognizes that the industry in which she worked continues to change. She cites today's journalists as not demonstrating loyalty for the stations that employ them. And while she does think that digital technology increases the efficiency of the newsroom, she claims that young journalists do not take great pride in their work. Speed is sacrificed for quality. The diversity of the newsroom has also changed in her tenure at Channel 6, WRTV Indianapolis, Indiana. Women and African Americans fill newsroom positions at much higher rates, giving new perspectives that ultimately enhance network coverage. Boyd discusses her signature hairstyle and the development of Indianapolis, a burgeoning midwestern city. In her closing remarks she recognizes the blessings that have come out of the adverse situatio Includes photographs of Barbara Boyd, family, and friends.

64 Stories (See Ordered Story Set)