Journalist Sarah Ann Shaw, who was a pioneer in the field in Boston, was recently remembered at a memorial service.

On April 27, a celebration of life was held for Sarah Ann Shaw, the first Black woman television news reporter in Boston. It was a time to honor her legacy and remember all the ways she impacted her community. Sadly, Shaw passed away on March 21 at the age of 90. She was a lifelong resident of Roxbury and a well-known figure in the Boston arts community. She was also a dedicated community activist, leaving behind a lasting impact on those around her.

According to her obituary, Shaw was a trailblazer in her field. For 31 years, she served as an on-air reporter for WBZ-TV, using her voice to represent the Black community in Boston. During a time of school desegregation and violence, Shaw provided comfort and a platform for Black parents and students to share their experiences. She was a true advocate for their side of the story.

Shaw's dedication to her community extended beyond her work as a journalist. In 1979, she served as the Region One director of the National Association of Black Journalists, and in 1998, she received a lifetime achievement award from the organization. She was also the president of the Boston Association of Black Journalists and was honored with an award in 1993. Throughout her life, Shaw received numerous awards and recognitions for her contributions, including the Drum Major for Justice award from the Boston branch of the NAACP and the "Hero Among Us" award from the Boston Celtics.

While Shaw was not a religious woman, she was known for her spiritual and moral courage. She was vocal about her belief that organized religion often mistreated women and members of the LGBTQ+ community. Despite this, she was still honored by many churches in the Boston area for her work in the community. Her memorial service was held at Bethel AME Church and officiated by Rev. Liz Walker, a retired WBZ news anchor and colleague of Shaw's. Congresswoman Ayanna Presley, who looked up to Shaw as an inspiration, also spoke at the service.

Shaw's passing was felt deeply by many, including those who had the opportunity to work with her. Gwen Ifill, a journalist and political commentator, fondly remembered her first TV internship with Shaw. Many community and political leaders in Boston also reached out to Shaw's family to offer support and ask how they could help. Shaw's daughter, Klare, shared that the family is planning a day of service in June in her mother's honor, where they will perform community service and register people to vote.

Sarah Ann Shaw was a warrior woman, as described by Rev. Walker. She was a passionate advocate for her community and dedicated her life to telling their stories and breaking down barriers. Her legacy will continue to inspire others to do the same. Shaw is survived by her daughter, two "children by love and choice," three grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and many friends and loved ones. She will be greatly missed, but her impact will never be forgotten.

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