The Wall of Distinction
(C) 2008 Syracuse Press Club.
Jackie Robinson
WSTM (WSYR-TV)
Jackie Robinson's work as a television news broadcaster and an involvement in community organizations has made her one of the best-known women in Central New York, as well as a role model and positive influence for area youth. Jackie grew up in North Syracuse and stayed in her hometown when she joined WSYR-TV's (now WSTM-TV) news staff in 1978 as a general assignment reporter upon her graduation from Syracuse University's Newhouse School. In less than seven years, she became the station's first black female anchor, the accomplishment noted in Jet Magazine, comparing her to another Jackie Robinson for breaking the color barrier.
Sharing a name with the baseball great forced school officials to accept the Channel 3 anchor as a correct answer in a state exam in which hundreds of students wrote essays about a role model named "Jackie Robinson."
Syracuse's Jackie has a career filled with many accomplishments and honors - in television news and in her efforts on behalf of schools and other community organizations. Jackie attributes much of her success to her very strong family, where the five children pushed each other academically and athletically to carve out their own identities. As one result, in 1974, Jackie finished second in the 50-yard dash and first in the standing broad jump in the state finals. She was also president of the local teen chapter of the National Council of Negro Women. It was that organization which urged her to apply for a minority scholarship at Syracuse University. When she was selected, Jackie decided to pursue a career in broadcasting.
Jackie has done many jobs, including anchor, news producer, host of the local community program "City Scene" (formerly "News and Views, Black Perspective"), and as weekend assignment editor and weather reporter.
Among her honors: the New York State Governor's Award for African-Americans of Distinction; the Spirit of American Women Award given by Girls Inc. to role models; she was the 1991 Post-Standard Woman of Achievement in Communications; she won the Women in Communications' Community Leader of the Year Award in 1990; was named the "Best Local News Personality" by the Syracuse New Times in 2000.
In 1995, Jackie received the Syracuse University Chancellor's Award as an SU Outstanding Journalist. The North Syracuse Lions' Club, the United Negro College Fund, and the National Council of Negro Women, among many other local organizations, also have honored her for her contributions to the community.
In her many visits to area schools and as commencement speaker at Cazenovia College and Cayuga Community College, Jackie carried her message to students, "If I can make, so can you!" Her theme is that reading, speaking well and staying in school can lead to rewarding careers. And she says she is grateful for her good fortune and she is very happy with her life and her job.
Jackie is married to attorney Henry Melchor. They have two children. --Joseph A. Porcello
WSTM (WSYR-TV)
Jackie Robinson's work as a television news broadcaster and an involvement in community organizations has made her one of the best-known women in Central New York, as well as a role model and positive influence for area youth. Jackie grew up in North Syracuse and stayed in her hometown when she joined WSYR-TV's (now WSTM-TV) news staff in 1978 as a general assignment reporter upon her graduation from Syracuse University's Newhouse School. In less than seven years, she became the station's first black female anchor, the accomplishment noted in Jet Magazine, comparing her to another Jackie Robinson for breaking the color barrier.
Sharing a name with the baseball great forced school officials to accept the Channel 3 anchor as a correct answer in a state exam in which hundreds of students wrote essays about a role model named "Jackie Robinson."
Syracuse's Jackie has a career filled with many accomplishments and honors - in television news and in her efforts on behalf of schools and other community organizations. Jackie attributes much of her success to her very strong family, where the five children pushed each other academically and athletically to carve out their own identities. As one result, in 1974, Jackie finished second in the 50-yard dash and first in the standing broad jump in the state finals. She was also president of the local teen chapter of the National Council of Negro Women. It was that organization which urged her to apply for a minority scholarship at Syracuse University. When she was selected, Jackie decided to pursue a career in broadcasting.
Jackie has done many jobs, including anchor, news producer, host of the local community program "City Scene" (formerly "News and Views, Black Perspective"), and as weekend assignment editor and weather reporter.
Among her honors: the New York State Governor's Award for African-Americans of Distinction; the Spirit of American Women Award given by Girls Inc. to role models; she was the 1991 Post-Standard Woman of Achievement in Communications; she won the Women in Communications' Community Leader of the Year Award in 1990; was named the "Best Local News Personality" by the Syracuse New Times in 2000.
In 1995, Jackie received the Syracuse University Chancellor's Award as an SU Outstanding Journalist. The North Syracuse Lions' Club, the United Negro College Fund, and the National Council of Negro Women, among many other local organizations, also have honored her for her contributions to the community.
In her many visits to area schools and as commencement speaker at Cazenovia College and Cayuga Community College, Jackie carried her message to students, "If I can make, so can you!" Her theme is that reading, speaking well and staying in school can lead to rewarding careers. And she says she is grateful for her good fortune and she is very happy with her life and her job.
Jackie is married to attorney Henry Melchor. They have two children. --Joseph A. Porcello
