ABC-owned WLS in Chicago announced Tuesday reporter Theresa Gutierrez will retire after 42 years. Gutierrez joined the station as a production assistant in 1972, and became a general assignment reporter in 1986, earning respect and honors in the years since:
Gutierrez was one of the first Hispanic women to break into television journalism. Gutierrez along with Barbara Walters, Connie Chung, Christiane Amanpour, and Jane Pauley were featured on the cover of the educational book, Women Who Broke Barriers: The New Face of TV News. The book was distributed to schools throughout the world. She was also featured in a book produced by the Museum of Broadcast Communications entitled Chicago Television.
According to John Idler, President and General Manager, “The word trailblazer defines Theresa Gutierrez. She broke ground in Chicago television as one of the first Hispanic woman to serve in both a producer and on-air role. She brought a tremendous amount of passion to her work and a commitment to the community that has never wavered in more than four decades. We thank Theresa for her countless contributions and wish her nothing but the best.”
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