Remarkable Strides to Success

A behind-the-scenes look at the life and accomplishments of Linda Yu

Interviewed By: Kodi Khadivar

Introduction By: Sammer Ghouleh

Excerpt from original article

As we journey through life, we hear of many stories of phenomenal women who strived and reached high status due to their hard work and perseverance. These women had visions of how to rise from having nothing to getting everything. They met each challenge with courage and determination. As they made huge differences in society, they realized how powerful they were to beat all obstacles. These noble women have walked beyond the limitations that have held women back from prosperity for many years. With the efforts of all these women, society advanced into a better world.

To reach their desired goals, women have joined various professions throughout the years. Breaking through the “glass ceiling” that has blocked women for many years in the corporate arena, women have reached positions that were mainly dominated by their male counterparts. Women who strived to become part of the media world battled much more than the pressures placed on them by others due to the reality of this industry’s demands. As a long time fan of Linda Yu, I have always admired and respected her confidence, professionalism, and her positive, appealing and calm attitude as she presents her stories.

Upon reading Linda’s interview, I was very impressed with her unwavering determination to accomplish so much and plan to be a seeker for greater things to come. She is indeed an icon in our world of powerful and inspirational role models. I was captured by the shy little immigrant girl who spoke only three English words that reflected manners, politeness and her strong willpower, who grew to address millions with fluency and eloquence, which set the stage for others to follow; breaking through towering walls of fear. She has redefined the greater value of women, as they must make their dent in life confidently and strongly believing in themselves.

Linda Yu’s commitment to success was in every stage of her life. She influenced millions with the power of her ink as a journalist and moved on to let the sound of her words to be heard. Her words are deep, wise and profound. They touch the inner being of her audience and cultivate their minds to see beyond the tight box we surround ourselves with. Her morals gained her respect and popularity as a stimulating, intellectual and prominent woman in the field of media.

Born in Xian, China, Yu and her family moved to Hong Kong when she was just two years old. After three years, they immigrated to the United States, leaving behind their home and a country on the verge of Communism. They first lived in Pennsylvania, then Indiana and finally California. In 1968, Yu graduated from the University of Southern California with a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism.

She began her broadcasting career in Los Angeles in 1974 as a writer and producer for KTLA-TV and as a writer for KABC-TV. She also worked as a reporter in San Francisco and Portland, OR, before coming to Chicago.

Yu has earned four local Emmy awards during her career in Chicago for remarkable journalism and unique, outstanding informational presentations. She also was honored with a gold medal from the National Conference of Community and Justice for her documentary, “The Scars of Belfast,” which she aired in 1984.

Prior to joining the staff of ABC 7 Chicago, she served as a co-anchor on NBC 5. There, she hosted two documentaries on China, as she searched for her childhood home.

Since then, she has journeyed back to the country to host another documentary on her homeland. Her focus was on educating people about a nation whose influence can be seen throughout the world. She discussed the connections between China and Chicago, and piqued the city’s desire to learn more.

When not on the set, Yu is either spending time with her children, watching her beloved White Sox or conversing in Chicago’s diverse communities. She serves on the board of the Juvenile Protective Association and is the Advisory Board Chairperson for the Chinese American Service League. She also is co-founder of the Chicago chapter of the Asian-American Journalists Association.

Recently, Yu gave Spirit Magazine a closer look at her world and the drive behind her many accomplishments. During our interview, she spoke with candor, humor and a down-to-earth style that would put anyone in her presence at ease. Through her own words, you, our readers, will get a behind-the-scenes look at a woman who has built her life on learning and sharing.

Spirit: Can you share with us how your educational background led you down the paths you’ve chosen?

Linda: By the time I got to college, I still wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with my life. I realized much later on that I had a third grade teacher, a woman who was very, very loving to me. She taught me how to love reading and I was very thankful that before she died, I was able to say to her, ‘I’m doing what I’m doing today because of you. You gave me this love for reading and if I didn’t like to read, I wouldn’t have loved words. And if I didn’t love words, I wouldn’t love to write.’ I was able to tell her I learned to write and then learned to love it because she started me on that path.

 While I was trying to decide what to study in college, I just started my first semester taking some classes. Back then, women were teachers, maybe nurses, and that was about it. So I just took some classes knowing I liked to write and maybe someday I could become an English teacher.