First woman CBS Evening News anchor in town to promote cancer awareness

Managing Editor Katie Couric catches local figure in factual error

New $60 million CBS Evening News anchor Katie Couric
takes on top job September 5 as first woman to hold the post.
In San Francisco to promote cancer awareness, Couric had a slight correction
for a local figure.
Photo(s) by Luke Thomas

By Pat Murphy

July 18, 2006

Newly appointed CBS Evening News anchor Katie Couric came to San Francisco Monday on the final leg of a six-city cancer awareness tour, chiding CBS for taking 60 years to put a woman in the top job.

And chiding the local mayor for flattering himself with belief he had Couric's home telephone number.

"I could go on and talk about 27 years of all the good work that Katie has done," Mayor Newsom introduced Couric to the Commonwealth Club of San Francisco.

Mayor Gavin Newsom

"You know all of that but I just want to give a little personal anecdote...

"About six months ago... I got a message that came in late. It said Katie Couric is looking for you. She wants you to call her back.

"I said, 'Well, it's late - it's eight o'clock back east.'

"So I endeavored sheepishly to call... and it goes, 'Hi, it's Katie' and apparently she was there at home," wowed Newsom.

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom proclaims Monday
as Katie Couric Day in San Francisco.

Couric was pleased with the proclamation but set the mayor straight.

"Thank you so much for your proclamation," Couric smiled.

"And by the way, that wasn't really my home number.

"But I'm glad you were flattered enough to call me back," the smile turned to a grin.

Couric premiers as both managing editor and solo anchor of the CBS Evening News on September 5 at a reported annual salary of $60 million.

She acknowledged the importance to women of her appointment.

"I think the fact that there hasn't been a female solo anchor heretofore on these broadcast I think is something worth noting," reflected Couric.

"I don't think we should become too obsessed with it. I think it means different things to different people.

"But if it can be symbolic in any way inspiring to people then I'm honored to hold that position.

"You know I feel like women have achieved great things in broadcasting and this might have been the last bastion of male dominance, if you will, but certainly women are everywhere when it comes to this business.

"Just look around you at the reporters here and in many cases the camera crews. So I'm proud of that.

"We need to have more women in management roles I believe and that's starting to happen as well."

Visit National Colorectal Cancer Research Alliance co-founded by Katie Couric, click here.

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