"Mary advises, "Along the way, I have met incredible women. Don't let anyone discourage you and tell you what you can and cannot do. Believe in yourself. If you don't believe in yourself, whom can you believe in?"

Mary Richardson has been a pathfinder for women in the news world. Currently the co-host of Chronicle on ABC's WCVB-TV Channel 5 in Boston, her career followed a coast-to-coast path, which shows, as she says, "that you can have your dreams, and can dare to aspire to bigger things."

A native Californian, Mary began a career in teaching after completing a degree in English. Upon assigning her students a communications project she began to appreciate her own interest in communications and started attending graduate school at night. The decision to quit teaching to attend school full time and undertake the required internship paved the way to Mary's future in broadcasting.

At the end of her internship Mary accepted an entry level position so she could see where this new career would take her. Through this position she was able to learn writing and producing skills "the very old fashioned way, from those who are skilled in the job." "How lucky you are sometimes in life," Mary explained. "I always knew other people could do this, and yet at that time, I never thought that I could."

While working at KCRA-TV in Sacramento, CA, Joan Lunden pulled Mary aside and told her that she was leaving her job as Consumer Reporter to pursue an opportunity in the Northeast. She suggested that Mary apply for the vacated position. Although Mary did not have much experience, she applied and got the job. Within two years, she became the anchor for the 5 PM and 11 PM newscasts, a rare position for a woman at the time.

With this experience under her belt, Mary moved cross-country in 1978 to CBS's WNAC-TV Channel 7 News as the first female anchor in Boston to co-anchor the 11 PM news. At the time she was a divorced single mother of a nine-year-old and she admits, "The divorce was tough and raising my child on my own was tough. Things were not always so smooth at work. There were late nights, but it was all worth it to build something I could be proud of for my son." Mary was grateful to see the friendly face of her brother who was at MIT and showed Mary around Boston when she first arrived in the area.

On the subject of working, Mary observes in her positive way, "I really did not have a choice whether to stay at home or work. I was the sole earner. It was easier in some ways, and I loved what I did. It was great for my son to see and respect women and see what they can do." Mary made it work by finding her own support system of live-in nannies, babysitters, and great friends.

As Mary's career in Boston evolved, she moved to ABC's WCVB's Channel 5 as the anchor of the weekend news. There she met her husband Stan Levin. They were best friends and work mates for years before realizing there was more to their relationship. Mary says of her husband, "He has been so supportive. I hit the jackpot with him. He is a giver and I think of myself that way. When there are two givers in a relationship, you are on target to handle all the trials and tribulations of marriage."

When ABC was launching their new show, Chronicle, and invited her to join the cast, Mary was expecting her daughter. She thought of an old quote, "don't' try to chase the fox and the rabbit at the same time, or you won't catch either." She realized she could not focus on being a good mother and launching a new show at the same time, and declined the offer.

Two years later, after some personnel changes, there was another opportunity to join Chronicle and Mary began what for the next 25 years would be her passion, working with a team that covers the big stories, the human interest stories and the stories that are fun and life affirming.

For women thinking about starting or changing careers Mary advises, "Along the way, I have met incredible women. Don't let anyone discourage you and tell you what you can and cannot do. Believe in yourself. If you don't believe in yourself, whom can you believe in?"

Recently Mary announced that she is leaving Chronicle in May. She is ready to spend more time with her husband. She looks forward to a relaxing summer with her family, which includes three children and two grandchildren, as she starts the next chapter in her story.

"When you follow what is right for you, and stay positive," Mary offers, "then life works out." Mary intends to keep her head clear and open to new possibilities. No doubt she will embrace whatever comes her way with her inexhaustible zest for life.

For more information, visit www.thebostonchannel.com.

For more Inspirational Women article or articles on different topics visit the Applaud Women Library.

The opinions and information provided within the Applaud Women publication or on the Applaud Women website are not necessarily those of Applaud Women, it's officers, staff or
contributing writers. Nor does inclusion on ApplaudWomen.com constitute endorsement of the views, products, services or informational content contained within the publication, advertising
on found anywhere on the website. Applaud Women values accuracy; however, Applaud Women does not warranty the accuracy of material provided by it's writers, advertisers or any
information provided by other sources included on the website.
No reproduction of any part of this page or any other page on the website is permitted without the express permission of Applaud Women.

The Applaud Women publication is dedicated to women in New Hampshire and northern Massachusetts. It's purpose is to inspire, inform, and
applaud local women. The core of the magazine is our inspirational women's articles, most of which feature local women but occasionally we
are able to interview national women who we feel provide a unique inspiration for our readers. Our other articles cover topics of interest such
as food recipes, home, garden, beauty, health, fashion, dating, parenting, seniors, finance, business, hair care, skin care, advice, real estate,
insurance, weddings etc. Each issue has a feature section as well. Many of our articles are written by local business people who provide
information relevant to their business expertise. The Applaud Women website is also a resource center for local women including the most
comprehensive listings of Restaurants, Weddings, Female doctors and Hotels. It also includes a number of informational pages with links,
articles and RSS feeds to both local and national websites of interest to women in NH & n. MA. To read the publication click here then click on
the cover image to turn pages, print or download the entire magazine. For past issues visit the Applaud Women Library.