 News Anchor (recently retired)NBC Affiliate in Columbia, South Carolina
Susan Audé worked her entire broadcasting career at WIS, the NBC affiliate
in Columbia, starting as a weekend weather anchor
shortly after she received a graduate degree
from the University of South Carolina in 1978. "When
I first came through the doors of WIS more than
27 years ago, I never dreamed what a wonderful
career and life I would have as a result," Audé
said.
What television viewers immediately noticed about Susan Audé was that
she used a wheelchair, the result of a highway crash during her junior
year in college that left her unable to walk. But it did not take long
for WIS viewers to also notice her talents as a reporter and communicator,
and Audé quickly rose to become a primary anchor at the station, appearing
weeknights on the station's most-watched evening newscasts.
As WIS Senior Vice President and General Manager Mel Stebbins put
it, "Her disability became invisible because of
her enormous presence and enthusiasm."
In a recent letter to Hayne Hipp, chairman of the station's longtime
corporate parent, Liberty Corporation, Audé wrote, "Being in a wheelchair,
I know what it's like for people when others feel uncomfortable around
you. But because of WIS all those things became non-issues for me. People
come right up to you, they chat with you, they hug you, they feel like
they know you. How blessed I have been to have that outpouring of kindness
directed my way all these years."
Luque-Blacklocke paid tribute to Audé as a role model, saying "She
was a pioneer for women in journalism and for people with disabilities
who aspire to do great things. They knew it was possible because of her."
Susan Audé's career at WIS spanned four decades, and included momentous
events such as Hurricane Hugo, seven Presidential elections, the September
11th terrorist attacks and the funeral of Senator Strom Thurmond.
One of her proudest moments on the air involved an event she participated
in, the 1996 Olympic torch relay. She was one of many South Carolinians
who carried the Olympic flame through the streets of Columbia, but Audé
propelled herself in her wheelchair, the torch attached with a special
bracket.
Audé's physical courage and journalistic integrity won her the admiration,
awe and affection of thousands of viewers in the state, and she was recognized
with many honors during her career. Among them, the Masters Award for
lifetime achievement from the South Carolina Association of Broadcasters
in 2000. The WIS 6:00pm newscast, co-anchored by Audé, won the Emmy Award
for Best Newscast from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences,
Southeast Region, in both 2003 and 2005. In 1998, Audé was named to the
University of South Carolina College of Journalism's "Diamond Circle",
joining a national group of esteemed individuals chosen for outstanding
contributions to their field. The Governor's Commission on Women honored
her with its 2001 Woman of Achievement Award which is presented for "remarkable
accomplishments and commitment to our state".
Audé's inspiring life and accomplishments have been the subject of stories
in Good Housekeeping and Ms magazines, as well as on CNN and Lifetime
cable channels and Sally Jesse Raphael. Susan is also known for her community
involvement and has received numerous humanitarian awards. She has been
a Meals-on-Wheels volunteer, member of the Greater Columbia Community
Relations Council's Luncheon Club, and a frequently requested speaker.
Looking back on her career this week, Audé wrote, "This is a huge
turning point. More than half my life has been spent working at WIS.
When I first came through the doors of WIS more than 27 years ago I never
dreamed what a wonderful career and life I would have as a result. I've
had the opportunity to cover lots of interesting people and fascinating
events but the memories I take with me are the most precious: those of
all my dedicated and hard working friends at the station and a relationship
with WIS viewers that I prize with all my heart. I cannot say thank you
enough for the hundreds of thoughtful, kind things WIS viewers have said
and done throughout the years. They made my life special in ways I could
never have imagined.
The Governor's Commission on Women honored Susan with its 2001 Woman
of Achievement Award which is presented for "remarkable accomplishments
and commitment to our state".
Susan's professional achievements are even more remarkable because she
was paralyzed in an auto accident during her junior year at Erskine College.
Following a year of hospitalization and rehabilitation, she went on to
finish her college education, earn a Master of Mass Communications degree
from the University of South Carolina, and began her exceptional career.
Her inspiring life and accomplishments have been the subject of stories
in Good Housekeeping and Ms magazines, as well as on CNN and Lifetime
cable channels and Sally Jesse Raphael. Among her proudest moments was
bearing the Olympic Torch as it passed through Columbia in 1996.
Susan is also known for her community involvement and has received numerous
humanitarian awards. She is a Meals-on-Wheels volunteer, member of the
Community Relations Council Lunch Club of Columbia, a frequently requested
speaker, and has a daughter, Blythe. |
