Legendary Chinese-American Journalist Connie Chung Attends Book Launch in Los Angeles, Sharing the Struggles of Asian-American Women

Los Angeles, September 23, 2024 （LAPost) — Renowned Chinese-American journalist Connie Chung made a rare public appearance in Los Angeles at the Asian Hall of Fame for the launch of her new book, Connie: A Memoir. Chung delivered a 15-minute speech and received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Asian Hall of Fame. Her presence at the event sparked great enthusiasm from the media and guests alike, marking her first public event in years.

Lynn Valbuena (2nd from left), chairwoman of the San Manuel Indian Tribe, presents the Centennial Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement Medal to Connie Chung (Photo by: Richard Ren/LAPost)

At 78, Connie Chung shares, for the first time in her memoir, her decades-long experiences in journalism, highlighting the challenges she faced as an Asian-American woman in a predominantly white, male-dominated TV news industry. The memoir also touches on her marriage to renowned talk show host Maury Povich.

Connie Chung delivers a speech (Photo by: Richard Ren/LAPost)

After stepping away from the spotlight, Chung and her husband have enjoyed a peaceful retirement. She spent 10 years working on the book, which was officially released last Tuesday. In it, she candidly discusses the sexism and racism prevalent in the news industry. As the first Asian woman to anchor CBS Evening News, which held the highest viewership in the U.S. at the time, Chung overcame many obstacles, becoming an inspiration to countless Asian-American women.

Chung’s memoir not only chronicles her personal journey but also serves as a testament to the evolution of the news industry and the contributions of the Asian-American community. PBS praised the book, calling it a “sharp, witty, and authoritative memoir that highlights the trailblazing career of the first Asian woman to break into a white, male-dominated news industry.”

During her speech, Chung reflected, “While we’ve made some progress, sexism and racism against Asians still persist. The younger generation needs to understand these realities to help push society forward.”

Chung began her career in the 1970s with CBS News, later becoming a news anchor for Los Angeles and NBC. In the 1990s, she co-anchored CBS Evening News with Dan Rather, a partnership that was fraught with difficulties. She also worked at ABC News, skillfully avoiding competition with Barbara Walters and Diane Sawyer.

In 1993, Chung made history as the first Asian-American and the second woman to co-anchor CBS Evening News. Reflecting on her partnership with Dan Rather, she noted, “He clearly didn’t want me there.”

“I had to constantly prove myself,” Chung recalled. “Every day was a test because I was a woman and a minority, especially an Asian woman.” She emphasized the importance of sharing stories of sexism and racism, stating, “We’ve come a long way, but not far enough. Sexism and racism against Asians have resurfaced in troubling ways.”

Chung, the youngest of ten children and the only one born in the U.S., was raised by Chinese immigrant parents. Her father had high hopes for her after losing several sons. Chung proudly remarked that her journalism career fulfilled her father’s dream for her to bring honor to the family.

Currently, Chung is traveling across the U.S. to promote her book, often journeying solo while her husband remains at home. Looking back on their 40-year marriage, she expressed gratitude for her husband’s unwavering support throughout her career.

Guests attending the conference with Connie Chung (Photo by: Richard Ren/LAPost)

The book launch event drew many fans, including NBC News anchor Vicky Nguyen and California State Treasurer Fiona Ma. Ma shared that she grew up watching Chung’s broadcasts, calling her a role model who inspired generations of Asian-American women. She had purchased the book on Amazon and brought it to the event for Chung’s signature.

Hon. Fiona Ma presents a certificate of honor to Connie Chung (Photo by: Richard Ren/LAPost)

Charlie Zhang, Chairman of the Asian Hall of Fame board and a member of the Committee of 100, expressed his admiration for Chung. “I’ve been a fan for over 44 years,” Zhang said. “After long workdays, I would come home exhausted but always looked forward to watching her on CBS. She made history as the first Asian-American woman to co-anchor CBS Evening News.”

Maki Hsieh (left), CEO of the Asian Hall of Fame, warmly welcomed Connie Chung at the event (Photo by: Richard Ren/LAPost)

Chung was named Asian Hall of Fame’s Person of the Year in 2016 and now has been honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Maki Hsieh, CEO of the Asian Hall of Fame, said the atmosphere at the event was deeply emotional. “It’s an honor for the Asian community to witness this moment. I hope more women will be inspired by Connie Chung’s achievements.”

Reporters covering the event were also starstruck. After interviewing Chung, the KCAL team eagerly took photos with her and asked for her autograph. Other journalists took selfies with Chung in the background as she gave interviews. Despite being 78, Chung’s poise, humor, and charisma captivated the audience, showcasing her lasting media presence and professional instincts. Even as she entered the event hall, she gracefully slowed her pace whenever cameras were pointed at her, ensuring the perfect shot.

(By: Richard Ren, LAPost)