NORFOLK, Va. — In 1969, Donna-Rae Smith made her television news debut.
It was a history-making moment for the Michigan native, becoming the first female anchor at WVEC.
“It was during a time of SEC requirements,” said Smith. “There was a requirement to hire women in news. I happened to be at the right place at the right time.”
Smith is in town this week visiting Hampton Roads with her husband. It’s been four decades since the last time she was here.
She started at WVEC as an assignment editor before being asked to co-anchor a new morning show called Tidewater A-M.
She was embraced, but it didn’t come easy.
“It’s exciting to see the advances we’ve made as a nation, and I was grateful for that,” said Smith. “But yes, it was an adjustment for everyone to work for a woman... to work with a woman.”
She was in her early 20’s at the time, but Smith says she got by with a bold, outgoing personality. She thanks her mother for encouraging her to speak up and share opinions at the dinner table growing up.
“I think my curiosity and my boldness came from that kind of environment when I was a very little girl,” said Smith.
Today, Smith is no longer working in the news industry. After working as an anchor at the NBC affiliate in Cleveland, Ohio, she and her husband settled down there. She now works as a behavioral coach and strategist.