Jessica Savitch

Jessica Beth Savitch (February 1, 1947 – October 23, 1983) was an American television journalist. She gained popularity as a local anchorwoman in Philadelphia before joining NBC News as a daily newsreader and weekend anchor for NBC Nightly News in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Savitch was one of the first women to anchor an evening network newscast alone. She also hosted PBS's public affairs program Frontline from its debut in January 1983 until her death in October of the same year. Known for her on-camera skills, Savitch was criticized for her limited journalism experience. Born in Wilmington, Delaware, she made history as the first female news anchor in the South while working at a Houston television station.