European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - August 16, 1987, Darmstadt, Hesse Having a baby married or not United press enter National like a growing new bar ots Ingle professional women i their 30s in the United Stales Liz Walker decided cd or not it was Lime to Start a Lainily Bui Wuhen she became pregnant Walker an evening news co Anchor or Wiz to in Boston Lound herself the locus of a Sharp Debaylo about her proper role As a Public figure an Anchor for the Boston Abc Alt Liale since 1981, Walker Calls her decision to have a child purely personal nol everyone agrees several local clergymen citing her High visibility on television and her role As a spokeswoman few Community groups called Walker s pregnancy an endorse Mon of unwed parenthood har decision to have a child outside of marriage sends he wrong message to teen agers. The clergymen said. They have repeated inc criticism on radio talk shows and in interviews Wil h local reporters i m not s3yinij her action is decisive said the Rev Bernard Mclaughlin of Iho Mosi i Foly redeemer Church in East Boston what the clergymen find most objectionable he said is the manner in which Walker announced her pregnancy she gave an interview to the Globe and to said she brought Illo the Public forum Hersell. And it was done in a Way that made it look Altra Clive " Walker said Ihal she gave inc newspaper interviews to Avert speculation Faler i knew thai Cven Lually my viewers would Polico Ihal i gained said lust Ivan led to be Irnest with the Public " several newspaper reporters and columnists have joined in criticizing walk i Cail Rowan in his nationally syndic Lod column castigated her and other single mothers who he said thumb their noses at Iho old social and moral conventions " a Boston Hecta a reporter Joe Fitzgerald said Walker s Alli Ludo Aboul single parenthood was Cavalier Many of inc critics have said that As a Black woman Walker had a special lesson Sibilly As a role Model for Black Leen agers. Who Are responsible for a disproportionately Large share of out of Wedlock births far from presenting a negative example to teen agers Walker said she fell her image was positive i m 36 i finished my education she said. I be been working for the last 15 years. I be had to work hard to get where i am Walker serves on the advisory Board of Iho dig sister association of Boston which shall regards her As an appropriate role Model according to Itie director Jerry Martinson. Our Agency deals with Guys and women and the choices that women make with As much awareness As possible of the options and the consequences he said that is what Liz Walke has done Sho has made a Dill cull Choice " although she said she would think a Long time Beloe speaking publicly to Black youths Walker denied that she has reneged her responsibility to Leen acis who might see Tiivi As a role Model. I Musl trying to live my a she said i m in the Public Domain but i m allowed id have a it Sonal Hie and make personal decisions Loo " filing Ihal Kosiro to Ali Jmc the boundaries Between tier private life and the Public of her pregnancy. Walker declined to say who Iho father of inc child was or Virilli her pregnancy was planned she said the baby was duo about dec. 4. In the end Walker said she doubled she had much influence on inc lives of teen agers oven those who looked up to her i be talked to experts in icon age lit Walker co Anchor for Wiz to news in Boston pregnant and single. Critics charge this an endorsement Tor unwed parenthood. Pregnancy who say thai most icons Are More Alfo cled by their immediate Sho said despite his admonitions Loc Hurch members Ihal single parenthood is immoral Ucli Juhlin said Ihal Many of his parishioners were unwed parents in re most Slemc Rilo support Walker s decision to have a child. A lol of people in my Parish eel that she has Iho right to make her own decisions if she has enough Money to do to said Walker said her viewers were also behind her decision. The Stalion has been getting 150 letters a Day she , and Hoy be been Ghoul do a Creel cuppa live some of the Leller arc from women who arc in incur tale 30s and daily 10-5 who Wulc. I respect you Lor to inc what you re doing rather than from the Iraln to chefs of loan agers saying you pc my child logo Oul and got Pic Jii Miil " Oll cats Al the station who said they olt Ereo Walker Ihen full , Are shrugging Oil the Alt tinn and criticism her pregnancy hag attracted 1 Liz is a big Star in Boston said John Spamola. Vice president and general manager Tor Wiz if a big Star does anything in s going to get Alle lion founder of the Nal tonal women s Pohlidal caucus and she was a Leader in the unsuccessful Light for passage of an equal rights amendment. Do some her career successes and inc supportive partnership she enjoyed in her marriage. Clip enter was keenly aware of sexual earlier m her Calcei. She had been barred trom while House correspondent dinners and the National press club because she was a woman to her bulk. She credits Eleanor Roosevelt opening doors for women in journalism by allowing Only women whose Solo beat had been parties to cover ice press today. Carpenter said the women s movement is on hold a condition she blamed on the Reagan administration i opposition loan equal Uhls amendment and what she caller Iti poor Purfor Vancu in naming Vromen to import land Obs Fiey Slom to to trying 1� ten . It Cluck to anole i the ii is very " a since 1q7j. Carpel or Nurl Cuenl a malt a trim or a january Lour Rio nth Aller bulk Jhc said sin fico ived in phone c i i irk to ,.fjilai a mine or a it irom sit,1 Foid ii ,-/.i a i Burm Ahi Cupi Mir i a in i Rel a Jung in to tin rom i in i ten null i or. I o Iii i in n Jor a 3 i ill.i/1, i t ii n i for Hlll in j ilium l.,l. I it fat i i Hoil a Riu Hod a whale of a time on this Earth Tays Liz Carpenter who was lady Bird Johnson � prs Secretary sunday. Augusi 16. 1987 the stars and str pct Page 17
