Monday is International Women's Day, a day to celebrate the accomplishments of women in every field and every walk of life. But we'd be remiss if we didn't take a moment to reflect on the female pioneers in our own industry. Here are just a few of the women who were instrumental in making radio what it is today.
Kate Smith: Known as the First Lady of Radio, the singer and commentator had a series of radio shows throughout the '30s. But The Kate Smith Hour, which debuted in 1937, was her most successful. It was a variety show with comedy, music and drama, and featured some of the most famous guests of the day. The show ended in 1945, but Smith continued on radio until 1960. Her legacy has taken a hit in recent years amid revelations that she once recorded the song "That's Why Darkies Were Born," but she also spoke out against racism as early as the mid-'40s.
Pegeen Fitzgerald: She and her husband Edward hosted a talk show from 1937 to 1982, discussing topics such as current events, books, movies and even what their friends were up to. They broadcast from their New York City apartment, and were known even to bicker on the air.
Gracie Allen: She and husband George Burns took their married-couple comedy act to the airwaves in the '30s, but a change in format in 1941 put their show over the top. They played a showbiz couple navigating problems brought on by Gracie's "illogical logic." They made the move to TV in 1949.
WNEW-FM's All-Female Staff: From July 1966 to September 1967, the on-air staff at WNEW-FM in New York was entirely female. The notable women in the booth included Peggy Cass,Alison Steele,Rita Sands,Margaret Draper,Ann Clements,Arlene Kieta,Pam McKissick and Nell Bassett.
Alison Steele: After WNEW dropped the all-female lineup, Steele stayed on and became known as "The Nightbird," hosting a progressive-rock show from 1968 to 1979. Her soft, sultry voice contrasted the work of acts she championed like Yes, Genesis and The Moody Blues. She is widely credited with making overnight radio a viable format.
Carol Miller: Miller has been a mainstay of classic rock radio in New York since 1973. She's worked on WNEW-FM, WPLJ-FM and currently WAXQ-FM, as well as on satellite radio. She championed the unsuccessful effort to make Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run" the New Jersey state anthem, and is known for her long-form Led Zeppelin show Get the Led Out. Her 2012 memoir was titled Up All Night: My Life and Times in Rock Radio.
Terry Gross: The host of interview program Fresh Air started out in Philadelphia in 1975 before NPR took her show national in 1985. She's known for probing, intelligent conversations with some of the most notable people in the country. She's also known for pushing guests far enough that they've cut sessions short -- among those have been Lou Reed,Jann Wenner,Faye Dunaway,Monica Lewinsky and Adam Driver.
Lorianne Crook: With over 30 years of broadcasting -- both television and radio -- Lorianne has become one of the most talented and trustworthy voices in country music. She was already successful on the local ABC affiliate in Nashville when she was introduced to Charlie Chase. In 1983, they began their professional partnership and the real magic began withThis Week in Country Music. Now the co-host of The Crook and Chase Countdown, Lorianne is a trusted partner in the music industry for artists and listeners.
Robin Quivers: The best-known sidekick in radio, she's become a superstar in her own right over four decades on the air. She was first paired with Howard Stern in Washington, D.C. to read news breaks, but their partnership -- in particular, her ability to complement his often over-the-top schtick -- made her a household name. They continue to work together on satellite radio.
Delilah Rene: The host of the song request and dedication program is much better known simply by her first name. Her mix of warmth, understanding and sometimes sobering romantic advice has made her America's shoulder to cry on. Her program still airs on roughly 170 stations nationwide.
Wendy Williams: Before becoming a TV host, she made her name as the first true female shock jock. She made a name for herself in the mid-'90s in New York with her unique mix of gossip, snark and confessionals. She also conducted hard-hitting interviews with some of the biggest names in showbiz, notably pressing Whitney Houston about drug use in a 2003 conversation. She gave up radio in 2008 to focus on a television career.
Laura Schlessinger: The Doctor Laura Program was a mainstay of syndicated talk radio from the mid-'90s until 2010. Millions of listeners tuned in to hear her rock-certain relationship advice, and at one point she trailed only Rush Limbaugh in listenership. Her ratings began to fall as she transitioned more into morality and conservative politics, and she eventually moved to satellite radio.
Angie Martinez: "The Voice of New York" started out as the protege of Funkmaster Flex on WQHT-FM before moving to rival WWPR-FM in 2014. Her afternoon-drive program has long stood out for such top-tier guests as Jay-Z and Mariah Carey, and has long been appointment listening in the New York area.