Today we’d like to introduce you to Laura Lee.
Laura, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’ve always followed the unconventional path, choosing my heart instead of reason. To some degree, those choices have set me back a few steps, but I would eventually find my way.
I was a straight-A student, graduating salutatorian of my class, and Prom Queen at Patrick Henry High School in north Minneapolis. I had every intention of working right to the top in news. But then I fell in love. From there, I did everything backward. I got married and had two kids even before graduating college. Not only did I get married young, but I also married outside of my race; one of the first to do so in my Lee clan. It was a shock to my family and to my culture. However, I have an amazing family. With the love and support of my parents, I got back to my goals and my dream of becoming a reporter/anchor.
My hard work in high school afforded me a full-ride scholarship to one of the most prestigious private colleges in the Twin Cities — University of St. Thomas. A journalism program called ThreeSixty opened many doors for me as a high school senior. The summer program gave me the opportunity to work with seasoned journalists from local T.V. stations and newspapers, and through mentoring, I published my first story in the Star Tribune at 17. I am blessed to still have those relationships to this day.
In college, I took the four-and-a-half-year plan, completing my broadcast journalism degree in the Winter of 2007 because I took a semester off to have a baby. Typically, right after college, you move away to a small T.V. market to launch your career, but by now with three little kids, that decision was more difficult. I had others to think about. Instead, I landed a job locally working as a production assistant at KSTP. I absorbed everything I could working in that newsroom, making mental notes that benefit me to this day,
From there, I knew in my heart, I belonged in a newsroom. I wanted to tell stories. Stories that touched on human emotion. Stories that reflected my community. Stories that inspired change. And I wanted a newsroom that valued my voice and my perspective.
In 2010, I got the call. I accepted a general assignment reporter for ABC 6 News in southern Minnesota. As a reporter, I was the only minority at the time and the only mother. Everyone around me was right out of college. And boy, did I stand out like a sore thumb. Not only in my community, but in my newsroom. Initially, I was afraid of being accepted. But the station did an amazing job of making me feel welcome. The community, as well. Fears of being different eased.
In the end, it was those differences that I believe set me apart, in the best way. I brought to the table a set of lenses, only I had. In every story I covered, I approached like a mother would, like a minority would, and like a low-income family would. To my surprise, I was promoted to main anchor after eight months, the first Hmong news anchor in Minnesota. In that small TV market, but growing city of Rochester — home to Mayo Clinic– there I was… representing. I was a Hmong woman on the anchor desk being welcomed into homes every night. I was a Hmong woman sitting at board meetings with local non-profits. I was a Hmong woman in classrooms talking about journalism. In that small part of the state — I was helping to make a difference.
I have remained the 6 & 10 anchors for the past 12 years at ABC 6 News and I still love doing what I do. I absolutely love, bringing my voice to the table.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
It definitely was not smooth or easy for me. It was a lot of hard work. So many nights wondering if this was the right choice. That question usually followed a really tough night covering a tough story or flying solo to chase a winter storm and still making the deadline.
This industry has always been male-dominated. Not only am I a woman, but a woman of color. I have been turned down for a job before because I didn’t fit the “look” (blonde hair and blue eyes and yes, I was told that). The industry is slowly making strides to become more diverse and inclusive, but it has a long way to go. It took many years, to earn my voice at the table. That ability to gain trust from my managers and colleagues, viewers, and the community did not happen overnight. But anything worthwhile never does.
Another challenge for me was that I was a young mother in a newsroom. It was difficult for me to navigate this demanding job and balance my personal life. Oftentimes, I sacrificed time away from home, missing dinners and bedtime with my kids, to get the story. I knew that signing up for the job, but was a challenge, nonetheless. I still struggle with that balancing act — my career and single parenting — all the time. All I know, is I want to do well in both aspects, so I make sure I work hard at both.
As a single mother, now raising four kids, I also can’t zig-zag across the country like others, so I miss amazing opportunities for professional growth. But I don’t let that stop me from learning. Even in my current market after 12 years, I challenge myself to learn new things and to get better.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am currently an evening anchor for ABC 6 News in Rochester, MN. I have worked for Hubbard Broadcasting for nearly 15 years now. I started from the bottom up and that hard work has taught me a lot about myself and the industry.
I joined Hubbard’s sister station, ABC 6 News in November 2010. I started as an evening reporter and was promoted to the anchor desk in 2011 co-anchoring the 6 & 10 pm newscast. Along with anchoring, I am an Emmy-nominated reporter. Some of my award-winning special reports and investigations have been recognized by the Associated Press and the Society of Professional Journalists.
In a TV market my size, we wear a lot of hats. I also help to manage content and mentor reporters and producers with writing and editing. I love that part of this job, helping to teach the next generation of journalists and sharing the knowledge taught to me by peers and mentors.
I’m very proud of the connections I have made along the way. I am a people person. I LOVE meeting people and learning their stories and learning what makes them who they are. I am a better person because of it. I firmly believe that you have to care about your audience to be able to tell their stories adequately. You have to connect with people. No matter the market size, that part doesn’t change. the stories resonate and make an impact when you, yourself care.
My colleagues would say I am a newsroom leader. Not because of my seniority, but because they know I really care about them and the content we cover. They see me holding myself to the same standards I expect of them, and because of that in turn I think, I earn their respect. After 12 years here, I am still very close friends with colleagues and community members that have come and gone from the station and Rochester. That is also something I am very proud of.
What would you say has been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
I have learned, as we all know, life never works out the way we plan. I had big plans for my career. And then life happens and you adapt and adjust those plans. Along the way, you also realize, your priorities change. The moment I became a mother, I knew, my children would alter my career path. That goal of becoming a network correspondent, turned into, being a present mother and telling really good stories, in a community that we love. I have learned in this business, success should not be measured by market size, but by the impacts, we can help make, where ever we are.
I also learned you have to have thick skin in this business. Not everyone will like your style of reporting or even your style of anchoring. As long as you work hard and you do your job with honesty and integrity and you challenge yourself to grow, you’ll always have something to be proud of.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kaaltv.com/news_team/laura-lee/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauraslee22/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Laura-Lee/100058100977748/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-lee-6a10401a7/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/LauraLeeABC6
