CNN Anchor on Family, World Events and Creating Change

We recently spoke with CNN anchor Suzanne Malveaux. She had some fascinating things to say about family, her career, Nelson Mandela and more.

Who early on saw something in you that you might not have seen in yourself?

This is a pretty easy one for me because it really is my mother, Myrna, who taught Head Start and first grade for more than 20 years. Early on as a kid, I had a number of challenges that I had to overcome. There’s a funny story about how when I first started crawling, she and my dad would wave me to come forward and I would crawl backwards, going underneath the table--they’d have to come get me. They accepted me for who I was and encouraged me to be my best.

As a kid who was just starting school, I faced some learning disabilities—I stuttered briefly and was a poor test-taker. I was sent to a speech class and was put into remedial reading. Having been given the support I needed, I got over those challenges. By middle school, I was like a sponge, absorbing everything. I worked hard and got straight A's. My mom gave me the confidence to be myself and overcome my challenges.

You have a twin sister. Is she identical or fraternal?

                                
                                      Suzanne Malveaux (right) and sister Suzette (left).

We look exactly alike but the doctor said we were fraternal. My mom thinks he made a mistake. She’s pretty convinced we’re identical. I was a surprise--my parents were only expecting one child. The doctor never detected two heartbeats. When we were born, my sister Suzette came out first. The doctor made a joke and said, “Oh, you’re doing so well, want to try for a second?”  My mom laughed, then the doctor said, “No, I’m serious. There’s a second baby.” My mom says that my dad at that point started crying. We hope they were tears of joy! I was born six minutes later and it was a total surprise. I think I’ve been surprising my mom ever since.

Are there only two kids in the family?

I have two younger brothers, as well.

Where did you grow up?

We grew up in suburban Maryland, Howard and Montgomery counties. My mom is originally from New Orleans and my dad is from a small town about three hours outside that city. We grew up near Washington, D.C. because my father worked at the Howard University medical school. He was a student there, then he taught, became a practicing physician and eventually was named the dean of the medical school. Now he’s with the Merck Foundation.

How has your successful career evolved?

After college, in my 20’s, I lived with a pager on my hip—remember pagers, back in the day? I was passionate about journalism, covering a good story and educating the viewers. But I covered a lot of crime. I had to knock on the doors of mothers whose children had been brutally killed or were caught in crossfire. It got to the point where I just couldn’t do it another day.

I was very fortunate that in my late 20’s and early 30’s, the late Tim Russert took me under his wing. He and I worked in the same building. He was the bureau chief for NBC News and moderator of Meet the Press. MSNBC was about to launch and I think he could see that I needed more of a challenge. He asked me if I was interested in joining the new network and I said yes. His mentoring enabled me to cover international news, the Pentagon, Capitol Hill and eventually the White House.

The next phase of my career, during my 30’s, was when CNN came knocking at my door and gave me the opportunity to cover the White House. I covered Clinton, most of Bush’s administration and the 2008 election, then the first two years of the Obama administration. And my 40’s have been remarkable because I’ve had a lot more stability. Three years ago I transitioned into anchoring my own international news show and that has offered me a different kind of satisfaction. It has given me greater balance so I can connect with my family and friends more.

What has been your experience of the connective power of women?

In addition to Tim, I also had female mentors like Maureen Bunyan, a local news anchor in Washington, D.C. I was able to sit down with her or call and get guidance about the business. I’m fortunate, too, because my team now is almost all women, which I think is rare. We’re professional but at the same time, we talk about our families. I recently threw a baby shower for two of my team members. We’re all passionate and work hard, but we also support each other beyond the job.

You cover world events every day. Could you talk about the power that one person has to create change?

Watching the recent coverage of Nelson Mandela, you can see what one person can do under tremendous odds. At the start of his memorial service, President Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro shook hands. It’s the first time in more than 50 years that the United States has had that kind of opening with Cuba. The relationship is still very frosty, but that speaks to the power of one person. The recognition of Mandela’s life and accomplishments brought together these world leaders. Even if it’s just a nicety or a polite gesture, it demonstrates how one person can create change.

What is your hope for women around the world in 2014?

My hope is for women to continue the fight to realize their full potential. We cover so many tragic stories about women around the world who are facing tremendous odds, whether it’s women in Afghanistan fighting for an education, or Malala Yousafzai in Pakistan. Self-determination is something that women continue to have to strive for. My hope is that the fight continues and that there are more opportunities for women.

Women often believe they need all their skills in place before they take that next step. What are your thoughts about stepping up, even when your knees are shaking?

I speak at schools and graduations and I always tell young women that there has to be a point in your life when you’re fearless. You don’t have to be that way all the time, but the points at which you’re fearless are usually the breakthroughs.