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Pioneering TV journalist Marlene Sanders dies at 84

In 1964, broadcast journalist Marlene Sanders became the first woman to anchor an evening network newscast.

It was a breakthrough, but more or less accidental. At a time when opportunities were scarce for women in network news, Sanders got the chance to anchor the ABC broadcast because the regular anchor got sick and lost his voice.

“She had to fight a lot of stereotypes and a lot of ridicule,” said Bill Moyers, who worked with Sanders on a documentary series at CBS. “But she hung in there and did really good work. She caused the first tinkling of the glass ceiling.