Distinguished Women Award Presented To WRAL Anchor

WRAL-TV evening news anchor Pam Saulsby received a prestigious 2001 Distinguished Women of North Carolina Award at the 18th annual ceremony last week. Lt. Governor Beverly Perdue presented the award to Saulsby and eight other recipients on behalf of the N.C. Council for Women.

WRAL-TV Anchor Pam Saulsby (center) received the Distinguished Women Award. Lt. Governor Beverly Perdue (right) made the presentation.

Selected for recognition in the business/professions area, Saulsby's work for WRAL-TV and in the community was celebrated: "[Saulsby] is a dynamic speaker, skilled writer, compassionate and professional reporter, fund-raiser, volunteer and advocate for those less fortunate in our society - especially children…She co-founded the Oak Ranch, an innovative group home for children from abusive and troubled situations, and has worked diligently on behalf of children in foster care through her weekly 'Wednesday's Child' segments on WRAL-TV."

A select committee chose Saulsby and the other winners from a group of 67 nominees. Perdue said, "I am in awe of the talent that binds these women together."

Other recipients in the eight categories included NC State Chancellor Marye Ann Fox, philanthropist Julia Jones Daniels, former N.C. Department of Administration Secretary Katie Dorsett, volunteer Ida Friday, potter and businesswoman Louise Bigmeet Maney, retired Executive Director of the Council for Women Juanita Bryant and newspaper columnist Susan Hanely Lane.

In Cary, the ceremony featured keynote speaker Eileen Fulton, Asheville native and long-time portrayer of Lisa on the CBS daytime drama "As The World Turns." Rep. Ruth Easterling assisted Perdue with the presentations. Capitol Broadcasting Company served as a top-level sponsor of the event.

The N.C. Council for Women is the official state advocacy agency for women and a division of the N.C. Department of Administration.