JC Hayward
This week we publish a special tribute to JC Hayward, a dear friend whose strength and courage during her recent announcement of breast cancer is truly an inspiration of "life" to all of us. JC returned to the anchor desk on Monday after having surgery to remove the cancer from her breasts. JC was in great spirits as she walked into the newsroom and greeted by hugs and smiles from her fellow co-workers. During the noon broadcast JC sat down with Andrea Roane to talk about her procedure which is posted on www.jchayward.com. JC's energy and beauty (both inside and out) simply radiates, as it always does. Here is the interview when we sat down with JC one year ago, as she was being honored by the Alzheimer's Association. Our continued thoughts and prayers go to JC. As JC recently, said, "prayers work" - look at her now.
1. Today, you’re being honored at the 2nd Annual Women’s Initiative Luncheon hosted by the Alzheimer’s Association, National Capital Area Chapter with an award for your advocacy and awareness of Alzheimer’s. What does this award mean to you?
It’s very significant to me. I was first involved with the Alzheimer’s Association about 15 – 20 years ago when I did a five-part series on the disease. Little did I know then, that my mother would be an Alzheimer’s victim but she lived to be 103. Many people didn’t understand Alzheimer’s back then and when people learn about it, talk about it and have open conversation about it, then more support and education comes from it. It’s not different than many other diseases. Years ago, it was cancer, then AIDS. These were silent diseases and people thought there was something wrong with the person who was suffering from them. There’s a great need to advocate and educate on these silent diseases.
2. The Alzheimer’s Association’s new Women’s Initiative is helping more women find out about vital programs and services that can help in the caregiving journey. Living and giving through the experience with your mother, what is it about the Women’s Initiative that inspires you the most?
Women are generally the caregivers so they are especially in need of a support system to lean on. It can be daunting when taking care of someone with a long-term illness. The caregivers also need a place to go and get information. They need to keep strong and have an outlet, or a support group, and need to take care of their own health. The Women’s Initiative is there for them.
3. As an active advocate of the Alzheimer’s Association and one of the most respected female broadcast news journalists in Washington DC, how do you choose which organizations and events to champion?
I try to align myself with those where I truly have a kindred spirit and feel that I can aid and assist to get the word out. When I was asked to be vice president of Media Outreach at Channel 9, it was a perfect fit since I’ve been in the Washington DC community for 39 years. The station feels strongly about linking and aligning Channel 9 with the community. When I entered the profession of broadcast journalism 41 years ago, minorities were not embraced. It was a white, male dominated profession and less than 5% of people in the industry were of color. There were grass-root organizations protesting they wanted people to look like them to tell the stories. I feel that it is my responsible to give back to these groups and it’s been very rewarding to me. I’ve been introduced to so many people who help keep me centered and focused.
4. Your career has spanned from hosting your own talk show, producing documentaries, reporting on local, national and international stories and anchoring the news. What lessons have you learned to manage your personal and professional life along with community involvement?
When I came to Channel 9, I did a series of reports called “People Who You Should Know”. It was about normal people doing extraordinary things. They didn’t have long titles or make lots of money but these were people who I wanted others to know about. For example, I did a story on a woman who every Saturday after Sabbath would make pots of soup and during the week, she would make stacks of sandwiches from donations given by local grocery stores. Then every Sunday, she would deliver the soup and sandwiches to the homeless. From those experiences, it was clear that everyone gets 24 hours in a day, not 22 or 26, but 24 and I asked myself, “How do I use my 24 hours?” These people were so big and I felt so small. I realized that I want to leave a legacy. When I leave this earth, I want people to say, “Gee whiz, she did something when she was here.” The people who I met doing this series have had an impact on my heart.
5. The mission of Washington Women’s Weekly is to connect highly accomplished women with the next generation of trailblazers in Washington DC. As the very first woman to anchor the news here, you were a trailblazer yourself. What advice do you give to this generation of trailblazers?
First, carve out a career or profession that you are passionate about. You need to have that fire in the belly. Second, women need to clearly understand the dynamics of situations. Third, pick you battles very wisely and don’t take things personally.
JC’s generosity of time and resources knows no bounds. She has given her time to many organizations and, in 2001, presented her alma mater Howard University with a million dollar trust fund. JC is leaving a legacy that is more than a “most respected broadcast journalist.”
