Photograph by Jacqueline Ramseyer
Linda Ellerbee, left, award-winning journalist and best-selling author, speaks about her experiences as a working single mother, a child of the '60s, and a woman seeking balance in her life at the Tenth Annual YWCA in Santa Clara Valley's Professional Women's luncheon. Dr. Keri McLain, CEO of the YWCA, looks on.
Succeeding in the Face of Adversity
Linda Ellerbee shares some war stories at the YWCA luncheon
By Daniel Hindin
Linda Ellerbee, outspoken journalist, award-winning television producer and best selling author, was the guest speaker at this year's 10th annual Santa Clara Valley YWCA Professional Women's Luncheon on Tuesday. More than 2,000 people--most of them women-- packed the San Jose McEnery Convention Center to hear the anecdotal success stories of the breast cancer survivor and single mother of two who's an established talent in the field of journalism.
Ellerbee shared advice about how professional women of today "can succeed while keeping their heart, soul and balance in tact.
"Women have enormous responsibilities in this age," she said. "People say, 'You have it good. You can do everything you want.' But you can't. Women still very often hit a glass ceiling in the workplace."
Ellerbee's solution to her personal glass ceiling was to start her own company. After high profile stints with CBS and ABC, she founded Lucky Duck Productions in 1987. Through Lucky Duck she created Nick News, a children's news program that is now syndicated on nearly 200 television stations. It has garnered three Peabody Awards and two Emmys.
Get Real, Ellerbee's first series of children's books, was released in March. Both of her previous adult oriented books were national bestsellers. One of them, Move On, contains candid stories about the real life trials of a single mother and child of the '60s who is attempting to find some balance in her life.
Ellerbee's influence on women and children made her an ideal choice to speak at the YWCA forum.
"Ellerbee is a good role model for women who don't let defeat get them down," said Sunnyvale Mayor Pat Vorreiter, who attended the luncheon. "Whether it be social ill, physical disease, or career or family crisis, we have to stand up and continue our work."
Vorreiter discussed the importance of the YWCA and her own position as a role model, saying, "The objective of YWCA is beautiful. I've seen through my job as a family lawyer that they've provided great support for local families. As public servants, we need to show support through our presence and actions."
Keri McClain, CEO of YWCA, concurred. "We are molding kids at all times," she said. "You have to take responsibility for yourself."
Sunnyvale, California Since 1994
