Trudy Haynes, a broadcast journalism pioneer and Philadelphia’s first Black television reporter, died Tuesday at age 95.
Haynes, born Gertrude Daniels, was affectionately known as “Miss Trudy” to those who adored her in the community. As a native of New York and a Howard University graduate, Haynes’ career began in 1963 when she became the first Black weather reporter in Detroit, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported.
Last year, Haynes chatted with CBS3’s Janelle Burrell and explained how women had to work twice as hard as their male counterparts to prove they could cover hard news.
“They didn’t send women out on these tough roles. I volunteered for some of them, and I got some of them.”
Since then, Haynes had proven she could handle the industry’s most challenging assignments. She quickly moved up in the market as a reporter for Philadelphia’s KYW-TV, which later became CBS3 Eyewitness News. In 1965, she became the city’s first Black television reporter while establishing a trusting relationship with her viewers.
Haynes was passionate about reporting stories on issues that primarily affected Black Philadelphians, providing a voice to a community that received “little coverage” from all-white newsrooms that only covered tragedy or crime-related stories.
“When I went out on the story, I did what I thought the story should be about. And I made a point when they were edited to include whatever our brown story was,” Ms. Haynes said in an Inquirer interview. “We needed to tell our own stories about our own people.”
As a dedicated journalist with a welcoming personality, Haynes interviewed some of the nation’s most prominent figures, from Martin Luther King Jr. to Muhammad Ali, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, and Tupac Shakur during her career.
Her trailblazing work in journalism led to several awards, including an Emmy from Eyewitness News in 1995, two-lifetime achievement awards, and honors from the NAACP and United Way. Haynes was also inducted into the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia’s Hall of Fame in 1999.
Haynes’ presence on television inspired other young Black and brown women to launch a career in journalism. Sarah Glover, former president of the National Association of Black Journalists, described the 95-year-old as an “icon for Black and brown female journalists.”
“She broke barriers with a smile,” Glover said. “She was a classy and consummate role model, and she encouraged journalists like me to shed a light.”
On Tuesday, the NABJ took to Twitter and issued a statement to honor Haynes and the lifelong work in her career and with the organization.
“We pause to reflect on the life of legendary Trudy Haynes, Philadelphia’s first Black TV reporter. Haynes inspired so many lives & was truly a pioneer in our industry, blazing trails & opening doors. We extend our condolences to her loved ones, former colleagues & mentees,” the tweet read.
We pause to reflect on the life of legendary Trudy Haynes, Philadelphia’s first Black TV reporter. Haynes inspired so many lives & was truly a pioneer in our industry, blazing trails & opening doors. We extend our condolences to her loved ones, former colleagues & mentees.
https://t.co/PSuBECMkIZ pic.twitter.com/tISIExYDdG
— #NABJ Headquarters
(@NABJ) June 7, 2022
Before her tv career, Haynes worked as an advertisement model and became the first African American poster model for Lucky Strike cigarettes. She then transitioned into the media industry and spent seven years at a radio station in Inkster, Mich., where she started as a receptionist and became editor of a daily program for women.
When Haynes retired from KYW in 1999, she started mentoring young journalists in the field. From hosting a weekly public access talk show on PhillyCAM, The Trudy Haynes Show, to creating scholarships for deserving journalists, Haynes was an icon and left a lasting mark in the industry.
