Maria Shriver is joining NBC News as a special anchor reporting on the shifting roles, emerging power and evolving needs of women in modern life. Her mother, Eunice Kennedy Shriver was a sister of John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy, and Edward Kennedy.
Shriver, who has Kennedy lineage in her bloodstream, will give reports and appearances on NBC News, CNBC, MSNBC and NBC Sports. The ex-wife of “The Governator” Arnold Schwarznegger will analyze women’s influence in all aspects of American culture and society. Maria Shriver has won two Emmys for her work as a producer.
Shriver will serve as Editor at Large for women’s issues across the NBC News Digital properties (again what is this “digital” nonsense? As opposed to being “analog?” I guess “digital” is some weird word old people and corporate types in place of “online” or “internet.” Then again I just learned what a “selfie” is, my tweenage nephews taught me, so I’m not as new media or social media hip as I pretend to be).
Anyways, this is a big deal for somebody local. Shriver was born in Chicago in 1955. The partnership with Shriver represents one of the largest commitments NBC News has made to coverage of women’s issues.
NBC News will also run Shriver’s award-winning series of Shriver Reports, covering American women and their central role in key contemporary issues. The next Shriver Report, released in early ’14, will address the alarming financial insecurity among American women and families.
Shriver was an anchor and correspondent for NBC News from 1986 until 2004.
A mother of four, Shriver, the former First Lady of California, will remain based in Los Angeles and continue to produce outside television, film, book and live event projects under the auspices of her own production company.
Paul M. Banks is the owner of The Sports Bank.net, an author and regular contributor to MSN, Fox Sports , Chicago Now, and Walter Football. Banks has appeared on Comcast SportsNet and the History Channel, as well as Clear Channel, ESPN and CBS radio all over the world.
President Barack Obama follows him on Twitter (@PaulMBanks)