Sarah-Ann Shaw (November 6, 1933 – March 21, 2024) was an American journalist and television reporter with

WBZ-TV WBZ-TV (channel 4) is a television station in Boston, Massachusetts, United States, airing programming from the CBS network. It is owned and operated by the network's CBS News and Stations division alongside independent station WSBK-TV (channe ...

from 1969 to 2000. She was best known as the first female African-American reporter to be televised in Boston. Shaw was also known for her presence in

civil rights Civil and political rights are a class of rights that protect individuals' freedom from infringement by governments, social organizations, and private individuals. They ensure one's entitlement to participate in the civil and political life of ...

movements and as a volunteer in education programs. Her recognition was widespread, including awards from the

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is a civil rights organization in the United States, formed in 1909 as an interracial endeavor to advance justice for African Americans by a group including W. E.&n ...

Rosie's Place Rosie’s Place is a sanctuary for poor and homeless women located in Boston, Massachusetts. History It was founded in 1974 by Kip Tiernan as the first shelter specifically for homeless women in the United States. It has evolved from providin ...

, the

Museum of Afro-American History The African Meeting House, also known variously as First African Baptist Church, First Independent Baptist Church and the Belknap Street Church, was built in 1806 and is now the oldest black church edifice still standing in the United States. It ...

, and

Action for Boston Community Development Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD) is an anti-poverty, community development and human services organization founded in 1961 as Boston Community Development Program (BCDP) in Boston, Massachusetts and incorporated as Action for Boston ...

(ABCD).

Early life and education

Shaw was born in the Roxbury neighborhood of Boston, to parents involved in the community. Sarah-Ann's father, Norris King Jr. was an active member in the Roxbury Democratic Club. Her mother, Annie Bell Bomar King, was involved in the distinguished civil rights activities of

Melnea Cass Melnea Agnes Cass (née Jones; June 16, 1896 – December 16, 1978) was an American community and civil rights activist. She was deeply involved in many community projects and volunteer groups in the South End and Roxbury neighborhoods of B ...

. During her years at William P. Boardman Elementary School and Henry Lee Higginson Elementary School, Shaw was active at St. Mark's Social Center. She completed her secondary studies at

Boston Latin Academy Boston Latin Academy (BLA) is a public education, public Magnet school, exam school founded in 1878 in Boston, Massachusetts providing students in grades 7th through 12th a Classical education movement, classical University-preparatory school, p ...

(formerly known as Girl's Latin School) and was associated with the

NAACP The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is a civil rights organization in the United States, formed in 1909 as an interracial endeavor to advance justice for African Americans by a group including W. E.&nb ...

Youth Movement. After graduating in 1952, Shaw was admitted to

Boston University Boston University (BU) is a private research university in Boston, Massachusetts. The university is nonsectarian, but has a historical affiliation with the United Methodist Church. It was founded in 1839 by Methodists with its original campu ...

where she studied briefly.

Career

In the early 1960s, Shaw joined the Boston Action Group in association with St. Mark's Social Center before being recruited to serve as director of the Boston Northern Student Movement. She led various projects centered on voter education and registration, in addition to supporting welfare programs in housing, rights and advocacy. Subsequently, she oversaw Boston's anti-poverty program, Neighborhood Operations for

ABCD ABCD is a list of the first four letters in the English alphabet. It may also refer to: Film * ''ABCD'' (film), a 2005 Tamil romance film * ''ABCD 2'', a 2015 Indian dance film * '' ABCD: American-Born Confused Desi (2013 film)'', a 2013 Mal ...

, as well as the Community Health Education Program at the Ecumenical Center. In 1968 that Shaw made her first television appearance on ''Say Brother'' (now known as '' Basic Black''), a public affairs broadcast by Ray Richardson. After numerous appearances on the show, she was hired by

as Boston's first female African American reporter in 1969. Shaw strived to oust prevalent racial stereotypes by featuring special reports that emphasized contributions made by minorities in Massachusetts.

Personal life

Shaw was married with one child, two grandchildren, and a great-grandchild. Her daughter, Klare E. Shaw, is a leader in the funding community for her contributions to non-profits in the Commonwealth's cultural community, and became the executive director of the

Boston Globe ''The Boston Globe'' is an American daily newspaper founded and based in Boston, Massachusetts. The newspaper has won a total of 27 Pulitzer Prizes, and has a total circulation of close to 300,000 print and digital subscribers. ''The Boston Glob ...

Foundation in 1999. Shaw died on March 21, 2024, at the age of 90.

Awards

Shaw received several outstanding awards over the years: * 1998 National Association of Black Journalists' "Lifetime Achievement Award" * 2000

Emerson College Emerson College is a private college with its main campus in Boston, Massachusetts. It also maintains campuses in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California and Well, Limburg, Netherlands ( Kasteel Well). Founded in 1880 by Charles Wesley Emerson as a ...

RTNDA's (Radio Television News Direction Association) "Lifetime Achievement Award" * 2000 Society of Newspaper Editors' "

Yankee Quill Award The Yankee Quill Award is a regional American journalism award that recognizes a lifetime contribution toward excellence in journalism in New England. The award is bestowed annually by the Academy of New England Journalists, and administered by the ...

" * 2001 Boston Celtics' "'A Hero Among Us' Award" * 2002 The Woman of Courage's "Community Service Award" * 2002 Psi Omega Chapter of AKA Sorority's "Community Service Award" * 2003 Massachusetts Women's Political Caucus Abigail Adams Award * 2004 Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Community Legend Award * 2005 Harlem Book Fair-Roxbury's "Charles Yancey Literacy Award" * 2006 The Advent School Mona Hull Award for Education * 2007 Teen Voices' "Intergenerational Activist Award" * 2007 Charles Hamilton Houston Institute and the City of Boston's "Local Hero Award" * 2007 Roxbury Community College's "Community Service Award" * 2008 Roxbury Action Program's "In Sight Award" * 2008 Broadcasters Hall of Fame induction * 2009 Roxbury Collaborative's "Unsung Hero Award" * 2014 Berklee City Music's "Unsung Heroes Award" Shaw was also been presented with awards by the Black Educator's Alliance of Massachusetts, Boston Mayor Thomas Menino, The Boston Branch NAACP, The Boston Association of Black Journalists, The Irish Immigration Center,

, Rosie's Place, the Cambridge YWCA and other groups and organizations.

Notes

{{DEFAULTSORT:Shaw, Sarah-Ann 1933 births 2024 deaths American television reporters and correspondents American civil rights activists Boston University alumni Boston Latin Academy alumni Activists from Boston