Mary couldn't believe it as she read the headline. She knew it was awards season, but she didn't think about that much. She'd learned a long time ago that doing the news wasn't just about awards, or even ratings. It was about getting the news on the air, and doing it well. If that led to awards or ratings, great. But those things were just a nice bonus.
Apparently, her hard work had been noticed. For, right here on her computer screen, she read, "Lifetime Achievement Award from New York Broadcasters being given to Mary Richards!" A photo, taken while she'd covered a story last year, accompanied the article. Mary was in shock as she read. "For over twenty years, Mary has worked tirelessly, using her talent and connections in the news business to help others. She has done special reports on the homeless, abused animals, and sick children, just to name a few. But the cause that's always been closest to her heart is women. Even as busy as she is, she always offers to help newcomers at her station, making sure they are given the same opportunities as their male counterparts. When asked why this is so important to her, she merely smiles and says, "Well, when I first took a job at a TV station, I didn't exactly have many qualifications. But someone gave me a chance when I needed it. There's no way I'd be where I am now without that. I just want to give somebody else a chance."
As she read the words, Mary remembered speaking them at a charity function which helped give opportunities to women from low-income backgrounds. Helping out at such events seemed only natural to Mary. She could still remember walking into a newsroom, feeling scared and totally out-of-place. Seven years later, she found herself fired from WJM. Unemployment was frightening enough, but what hurt even worse was the loss of the people she'd come to regard as family.
But once she realized she had no choice but to move on, Mary quickly found out that she was now more than qualified to work at a station that wasn't dead-last in the ratings. Her career quickly took off. After that, a move to New York led to an even bigger job. Of course, Mary didn't mind, as she was now in the same state and city as Rhoda.
Still in a state of shock, Mary picked up her cellphone and pressed the button to call her best friend. "Rhoda, you're never going to believe this!"
"You're engaged and getting married tomorrow," Rhoda answered with a laugh. She still couldn't quite believe the way men always seemed to respond to Mary.
"No," Mary said, rolling her eyes. "I just saw a headline that says I'm going to be given a lifetime achievement award!"
"Kid, that's wonderful! It doesn't surprise me a bit, with all the good you've done."
"Oh, come on, Rhoda, I haven't done that much."
"Are you kidding me? You're always telling me about a story you're doing on a children's hospital, or homeless animals or something."
"Yeah, but that's no big deal. I mean, it's not like that many people watch," Mary said, beginning to feel embarrassed.
"Well, somebody must be, or you wouldn't be getting this award!" Rhoda said. She knew Mary was, as usual, being much too modest.
"Well, I guess," Mary admitted. "Hey, would you like to come to the awards thing with me?" Her dedication to her career left little time for dating, but Mary didn't mind. The selection of men wasn't much better here than it had been in Minneapolis.
"Of course, kid. I wouldn't miss this," Rhoda said. "Hey, you know who you should tell? Lou!"
"Rhoda, I couldn't do that! Mr. Grant is busy now, with his grandkids and great-grandkids. He wouldn't be interested."
Rhoda knew that was ridiculous, but she also knew her best friend well enough to know it wasn't worth arguing. This night would be special for Mary, no matter what.