Since television began, women have been an important part of its history. This is a list of many of the groundbreaking women who have made their mark not only for themselves but for all women in the industry. Women like Lucille Ball, Barbara Walters, Mary Tyler Moore, and many more.
Lucille Ball
I Love Lucy has been one of the most enduring hits in the history of television. It’s been on TV both in the first run when it first aired in 1951 and in reruns ever since. Almost the entire time TV has been in people’s homes. Of course, that’s all because of the brilliant Lucille Ball’s performance as Lucy. She’s a one-of-kind legend we’re unlikely to see the likes of again.
Roxie Roker
Over the course of her incredible career, Roxie Roker broke new ground everywhere she acted, whether it be on the big screen, the Broadway stage, or, as Helen Willis on The Jeffersons, on television. The most important thing Roker did on TV seems so antiquated now that it’s hard to believe, but when she was on a hit CBS show, she was actually the first Black actress to appear on a TV show in a relationship with a white man. It was a huge deal.
Carol Burnett’
Not only is Carol Burnett one of the funniest women in TV history, but she’s at or near the top of the list of the funniest people, period. Her eponymous show was a groundbreaking sketch comedy show and she not only paved the way for more female comedians to have their own show, she paved the way for enduring sketch comedy shows like Saturday Night Live
