Sarah-Ann Shaw, a “trailblazer” who became the first Black woman TV news reporter in Boston, has died. She was 90.
Shaw was a legend at WBZ-TV for more than three decades as a general assignment reporter. She was hired there in 1969 as the station’s — and the city’s — first Black woman reporter.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Sarah-Ann Shaw, the first Black reporter at WBZ Boston,” Justin Draper, WBZ’s president and general manager, said in a statement. “Her pioneering spirit, dedication to journalism, and commitment to amplifying marginalized voices have left an indelible mark on our industry and community.
“Sarah-Ann’s fearless pursuit of truth and unwavering advocacy for social justice set a standard for excellence that will continue to inspire generations to come,” Draper added. “Our thoughts are with her loved ones during this difficult time, and we honor her legacy.”
The lifelong Roxbury resident covered a wide range of daily news stories.
Shaw is remembered for special reports on the “positive contributions made by Black, Asian, and Latino residents of Massachusetts,” reads her biography at Roxbury Community College.
“In this way she tried to dispel stereotypes held by Whites about people of color, while providing positive images of urban life,” her biography reads. “Her stories gave balance to those most often under-represented by media outlets.”
In addition to reporting the news, she anchored public affairs programs for WBZ.
She was inducted into the Massachusetts Broadcasters Hall of Fame after retiring from WBZ in 2000.
“Sarah Ann Shaw stands as a beacon of achievement and trailblazer in American journalism, leaving an indelible mark on Boston media through her courage, resilience, and unwavering commitment to truth, justice, and community,” U.S. Sen. Ed Markey posted.
Shaw was already well-known as a community leader before she was hired by WBZ. After her 31 years with the station, she returned to her work as an advocate — and won a number of awards for her work with the poor and with residents of the inner city.
Among the groups that honored her were the National Association of Black Journalists, and the Boston chapter of the Radio-Television News Directors’ Association.
“#NABJ mourns the loss of Sarah-Ann Shaw, Boston’s first Black woman TV news reporter,” the National Association of Black Journalists posted. “She was an NABJ Lifetime Achievement honoree in 1998, an organizer of the Boston Black Media Association & served as a region director after our historic constitution was ratified.”