The airwaves have gone silent; a pioneering voice has been lost. Susan Stamberg, the woman who shattered the glass ceiling in national broadcasting and became a "founding mother" of National Public Radio, has passed away at the age of 87. Her death marks the end of an era, leaving a void in the world of journalism and public service broadcasting.
NPR reported Stamberg's passing on Thursday but did not disclose the cause of death. Her journey with NPR began in the early 1970s, a time when the network was just beginning to find its footing as a collection of radio stations across the nation. Over her illustrious career, Stamberg conducted thousands of interviews, engaging in conversations with everyone from prominent political figures and renowned artists to the unsung heroes working behind the scenes in Hollywood and the culinary artists crafting meals at the White House. She had a unique ability to connect with people from all walks of life, drawing out their stories with warmth and genuine curiosity.
But here's where it gets controversial... Stamberg's early days at NPR presented a unique challenge: the absence of female role models in national broadcasting. As she revealed in an oral history interview with Oregon station KLCC in January, the broadcast landscape in 1972 was dominated by male voices. Initially, Stamberg found herself imitating them, lowering her voice in an attempt to project authority. However, Bill Siemering, the program manager, recognized her potential and encouraged her to embrace her authentic self. This was a groundbreaking moment, as Stamberg explained, "everybody else, the women, were trained actors, and so they came with very careful accents and very careful delivery. They weren’t relaxed and natural. So we made a new sound with radio as well, with NPR."
NPR's obituary for Stamberg highlighted her distinctive "obvious New York accent," a characteristic that became part of her signature style. Imagine the pressure of creating a 90-minute news program daily with a team of just five reporters! Stamberg and her colleagues at "All Things Considered" faced that challenge head-on, demonstrating their ingenuity and resourcefulness.
And this is the part most people miss... Stamberg wasn't just a broadcaster; she was a champion for women in media. She coined the term "founding mother" to describe herself and three other instrumental women who helped shape NPR: Cokie Roberts, Nina Totenberg, and Linda Wertheimer. "I got tired of hearing about Founding Fathers, and I knew we were not that, so we were obviously Founding Mothers, and I was going to put that on the map," she stated, underscoring her desire to recognize the contributions of women in a traditionally male-dominated field. Do you think this kind of active self-promotion is necessary to ensure women get the credit they deserve?
Stamberg's impact extended beyond "All Things Considered," which she hosted for 14 years. She went on to host "Weekend Edition Sunday," where she launched the popular Sunday puzzle segment with Will Shortz. Shortz, who continues to serve as the show's puzzle master and is now the crossword editor of The New York Times, recalls that Stamberg envisioned the show as a radio equivalent of a Sunday newspaper, offering a mix of news, culture, sports, and intellectual stimulation. Later in her career, she served as a cultural correspondent for "Morning Edition" and "Weekend Edition Saturday," continuing to share her insights and perspectives with a wide audience. She retired in September, leaving behind a remarkable legacy.
In 1979, Stamberg made history by hosting a two-hour radio call-in program with then-President Jimmy Carter, broadcasting live from the Oval Office. She skillfully managed the flow of questions from listeners, none of which were screened in advance. This was only the second time a president had participated in such a program, following Walter Cronkite's earlier interview with Carter. This event showcased Stamberg's ability to handle high-pressure situations with grace and professionalism.
Her achievements were widely recognized. Stamberg was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame, which lauded her "conversational style, intelligence, and knack for finding an interesting story." Her interviewees included a diverse array of influential figures, such as Nancy Reagan, Annie Leibovitz, Rosa Parks, and James Baldwin. In 2020, she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a testament to her enduring impact on popular culture.
Born Susan Levitt in Newark, New Jersey, in 1938, Stamberg spent her formative years in Manhattan. She met her husband, Louis Stamberg, while working in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She is survived by her son, Josh Stamberg, and her granddaughters, Vivian and Lena. What do you think Susan Stamberg's most important contribution to journalism and broadcasting was? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
