Friday, August 10, 2007

Women's Issue: Phenomenal Woman 2

I come from a media background. A journalistic background to be more specific. So news and current affairs have always been a part of my existence. The introduction of CNN into my life came when i was about 12 and its become part of my daily tonic since. And its on this news channel that i first "met" the woman that is the subject of my post today.

Christiane Amanpour is one woman that i would really love to meet. When i still harboured thoughts and dreams about being a foreign correspondent, i have to say that i just wanted to be like this woman. Trendier but like her. LOL. I wanted a khaki outfit like hers and i wanted to go to the places where headlines were made and just be her. Of course, my life and dreams are radically different now (even though i want to own a tv station or 10 at some point), my admiration for this woman has grown.

And like all things i am interested in, i make the effort to find out as much as i can - so here are some of the things that make her quite special in my book:
  • She comes from a mixed background. Her mother is British and her father is Iranian which explains her coloring and her features. She comes from the Iranian christian minority too
  • She has been with CNN since 1983 and is 49 years old
  • She worked as a special contributor to 60 Minutes filing a number of stories which in turn earned her the prestigious Peabody Award
  • She has scored some of the most sought after interviews in the world including with the current Iranian president. I have read that there were concerns with this particular interview given her background (her father's relationship with the deposed Shah. Ayatollah Khomeini deposed him and the Iranian president is a staunch supporter of the Ayatollah). Thankfully, all went well. She also scored a phone interview with the late Yassar Arafat during a siege on this premises. Apparently he hung up on her.
  • She is not afraid to air her views. I know that journalists try to be as objective as possible. But Ms Amanpour says being neutral is equivalent to being an accomplice. She says that being objective simply means allowing all sides to air their views.
  • She is married to James Rubin (a cutie that worked with the White House as assistant secretary of state) and a little boy
  • She got married at 41 and has said countless times that she was not interested in settling for less than she knew she deserved and so she waited for the right person to come along
  • One of her housemates was JFK Jnr and apparently they stayed close till his death
  • She has been honored by the queen - CBE i think

Anyway, she is truly amazing and the quality of her work speaks for itself. In fact, the idea for the phenomenal woman series came as i watched the recently aired documentary: Men of God which she did and had apparently been working on for a year. I urge you all to see it if you can.

An ode to womanhood...She makes me proud to be WOMAN

18 comments:

The Life of a Stranger called me said...

Wow, I love the part where she refused to settle for anything less. And Uzo, you too make us proud. Have a blessed weekend.

The Life of a Stranger called me said...

Yes Uzo, I now live and work in the Northern part of Italy, a one time used to be part of Austria. Moved here first week in June, loving it now, and shopping is fab. Obviously if you like skiny jeans like me..lol. I am 190km fom venice and there is always a direct train coming through here from Venice, so if ever fancy a visit, you are more than welcome to come.

♥♫♪nyemoni♫♪♥ said...

I like Christian Amanpour...she really changed the face of journalism... there was an ad on CNN a long time ago...sshe went, "there's another launch....." and then there was a bomb blast not too far away from where she was standing...she has put herself out so many times, just for the sake of delivering news real-time.... I really admire her!

SET said...

GIRL POWER, INSPIRING, LOVE IT. HAVE A BLESSED WEEKEND MY DEAR

Anonymous said...

dont know of her.. but i liked reading this.. big ups to her... like set said.. GIRL POWER

Admin UD said...

To al the great women of the world, including uzo and other blogville heavy weights, i throway salute.

Ms. Catwalq said...

when does it air. I saw THE WAR WITHIN on Islam in the UK and it was above brilliant.
I love her too.
She is my kind of female.

My 2 cents said...

We are all phenomenal women for diffent things, she is in a league of her own for journalism. Gotta give her that, the woman will pass through the eye of a needle to get news, now that's passion.

bllk wolf said...

Christian Amanpour is a lady who has always captured my imagination..
she sure is something.
off the record though,
iv always had this feeling that she's got links with the secret service..
did i mention that i'm a
first timer here (points to self and flashes a smile revealing mi toothless mouth)..
I HOPE I GET SOME GOODIES for that though...
nice blog..
ild luv it if u join me for coffee (my blog)...

bllk wolf said...

yeah!!
that reminds me...
i luv , abi i dig the SIMPSON LOOK...

laspapi said...

I've always liked Ms. Amanpour and her obvious determination.

Anonymous said...

she is an amazing woman!really!!

Anonymous said...

Just came across your blog (Through Ugo) and I find it very, very interesting. So interesting that you're going on the blog roll. I've always admired CA, and she's an inspiration to many.
By the way, I can't stand 'Tera Bina' anymore. My missus has it as her ringtone, and I just can't bring myself to watch 'Guru' yet!

Naija Vixen said...

You are both phenomenal women...;-)

Waffarian said...

She is one tough woman! You seem tough as well!

shhhh said...

shes hot, christiana that is.

Uzo said...

@Life: Thanks for the kind words...I would love to visit Italy but not now...Maybe next year when i do some parts of Europe for my vacation. And i dont like skinny jeans...I hate them,...LOL

@Nyemoni: I remember the ad you are talking about and i cant believe i didnt include that because that was increased my admiration for her....Thanks dear..

@SET and ONB: Girl Power...Havent heard that in a while...But let me re-define that..Woman power...LOL

@Ugo: Thanks...LOL...Dont worry, God has mega plans for me. Then someone else, somewhere in the world will mention my name as an inspiration and life changer...

@Catwalq: I live in Nigeria so i dont know when it will air where you are (where is that). But on CNN international, i am sure you can check the listings?

@2 cents: You are right..Women are just phenomenal creations. But i like the idea of celebrating some of us now and again....Like my mom who is "ordinary" to most but mega phenomenal to me

@blk wolf: Thanks for stopping by. Interesting theory about her links...Wont be suprised though

@Laspapi and Pink Satin: She is indeed a special lady

@Akin: I think you should watch Guru..Its intense and based on the life of the founder of Reliance Industries...LOL.Tere Bina is my ringtone as well and everyone in my life is tired of it....Thanks for dropping by

@Naija Vixen & Waffarian: Emm...LOl..Thanks

@TLK: When r u goign to update ur blog?

Unknown said...

I wanted to be a journalist too at one point and I also looked forward to Christiane Amanpour ... she is pretty amazing!!