“The addition of Barbara Walters as our emcee for the evening makes an
already exciting lineup even more spectacular. It’s only fitting that
America’s most influential and accomplished journalist - who has made
history herself a time or two - would join us for this historic and
emotional event,” said Army Veteran and SLDN Executive Director Aubrey
Sarvis.
Walters has arguably interviewed more political figures and
celebrities than any other journalist in history. She is so well known
that her name and a brief biography is listed in the American Heritage
Dictionary. In September 2004, after 25 years as co-host and chief
correspondent of ABC News' 20/20, Ms. Walters left the show to begin a
new phase in her career at the network as co-owner, co-executive
producer and co-host of The View. She remains an active member of the
news division and network, substantially increasing the number of
primetime ABC News specials, in addition to her "Barbara Walters
Specials." Through the years she has interviewed such world figures as
Russia's Boris Yeltsin, China's Premier Jiang Zemin, Great Britain's
former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, Libya's Moammar Qadaffi and
Iraq's President Sadaam Hussein. She was also the first American
journalist to interview Russia's President Vladimir Putin and the first
to interview President and Mrs. Bush following September 11. She has
interviewed every American President and First Lady since Richard Nixon.
She made journalism history by arranging the first joint interview with
Egypt's President Anwar Sadat and Israel's Prime Minister Menachem
Begin in November 1977.
"Having someone of Barbara Walters’ depth of world experience and
caliber is a perfect match for this tribute to Admiral Mullen's courage
in helping our nation live out its promise of equality for all,” said
Elizabeth Birch, former President of the Human Rights Campaign and a key
organizer of the event.
The September 18 celebration in New York City will be the first in a
series events hosted by SLDN and OutServe across the country during the
week to commemorate the first year of open service by America's gay and
lesbian service members. The anniversary of repeal is September 20.
