In my few months involved with the Indiana Broadcast History Archive, I have encountered plenty of deserving pioneers who have gained the recognition they deserve for their lasting contributions on broadcast history. While learning about all of these amazing figures, I have noticed that there are some incredible women on these lists, but not all of them are recognized to the extent that they might have been if they were male.
In honor of Women’s History Month, we at the IBHA wanted to recognize just a few of these women who have made such incredible contributions to broadcast as we know it today.
These three women are three of the best examples of broadcast excellence, and you will be all the better for learning about them.
Betty Chadwick-Sullivan
Betty Chadwick-Sullivan was a trailblazer in American television, becoming the nation's first female television news photographer. Her career in broadcasting spanned over two decades, primarily at WTHI-TV in Terre Haute, Indiana.
To read more about Betty, please look at her profile.
Barbara Boyd
Barbara Boyd was Indiana's first African American woman television journalist and one of the first women to anchor a newscast in the state. She spent 25 years at WRTV (formerly WFBM) from 1969 to 1994, where she became known for her consumer reports and groundbreaking coverage of personal health issues.
To read more about Barbara, please look at her profile.
Jinsie Scott Bingham
Jinsie Scott Bingham, a broadcaster from Greencastle, IN, made history in 1977 as the first woman in Indiana to own and manage a commercial radio station, WJNZ (later WREB). Her career was characterized by a commitment to community-centered media, where she dedicated airtime to local news, sports, and civic matters, making her station a crucial resource for the area.
To read more about Jinsie, please look at her profile.
Written by Emerson Elledge
March 2025
Emerson Elledge is a freshman at the IU Media School and a member of the Ernie Pyle Scholars. She is from Fishers, IN.