WSB-TV at 75: How Billye Aaron broke barriers for other Black female journalists

ATLANTA — Throughout WSB-TV’s 75 years, we’ve covered Georgia’s trailblazers, including Mrs. Billye Suber Aaron, the widow of baseball great Hank Aaron.

Aaron is a champion of education and has paved the way for other women of color in broadcasting.

“You try to use whatever talents you have. To spread it, to turn to help other people along the way,” Aaron said. “That has been -- I don’t know how -- inbred in me in some way or another.”

Aaron started her career teaching in the Atlanta Public School system and at Spelman, Morehouse, and other colleges.

Then in 1968, she transitioned into television, making history at WSB-TV.

“(You were the) first African American woman in the Southeast to co-host a daily, hour-long talk show. Did you realize then you were paving the way for young Black women like me?” Channel 2′s Karyn Greer asked Aaron.

“I’m not sure I was that wise. I am sure that it was something that I wanted desperately to do,” Aaron said.

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Aaron co-hosted “Today in Georgia,” interviewing key figures in Atlanta’s and Georgia’s history.

For a time, she was also grieving the loss of her first husband, Samuel.

One of those interviews was with baseball great Henry “Hank” Aaron. The two developed a close friendship and married in 1973.

That was also the same year Hank broke Babe Ruth’s home run record.

“You were sitting there in the stands. I saw the video. I sent it to you of him coming over to kiss you,” Greer said to Aaron.

“Oh yes,” Aaron said. “I was just absolutely thrilled.”

The Aarons appreciated all they had and were committed to giving back, creating the Hank Aaron Chasing the Dream Foundation.

“We identify kids who needed a chance, who needed an opportunity to develop their talents,” Aaron said.

Aaron also worked with the NAACP and the United Negro College Fund.

Aaron is always looking to pay it forward, remembering those who helped her along the way.

“But for the United Negro College Fund. But for the NAACP, I’m not sure where I would be, but I know I wouldn’t be here,” Aaron said.

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