A First in Indy
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It took till 2018 to happen, but Ashley Brown became Indianapolis’ first African-American female chief meteorologist when she joined WISH in November 2018.
Brown said she didn’t think about it at first, and it wasn’t until people told her later that she realized the milestone she accomplished. Like many African-American “firsts,” Brown registered her feat after seeing there weren’t any African-American females in her position to look up to.
“[I’m] proud,” she said. “I hope that there’s some little girls out there watching TV and see someone who looks like them.”
That’s probably something Brown will have to get used to now: Minority girls looking for high achievers who made it through the obstacles, especially if they’re interested in broadcast news or meteorology, will almost have to come across Brown. Last month, Turning Point Schools invited Brown for a surprise award because eighth-grade students who visited WISH in January wanted to acknowledge her as a trailblazer.
“[I hope] she sees that it’s possible because it’s what I do for living,” Brown said of girls who may be looking up to her now. “It’s a great feeling.”
It’s sad that it took this long to happen, but at least it finally did.
Props to Ashley for breaking the barrier and he is hoping that many will follow her lead.
