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Question of the Day | 01/08/2009 11:00 pm

'When I grow up ... ' When did you decide upon your career?

© Shutterstock
Whoopi Goldberg

Whoopi Goldberg | 01/08/2009 11:00 pm

Whoopi Goldberg Was Born in the Spotlight

Emerging from my mother. At my birth, I looked up, saw the lights in the operating room and said, "This is for me."
Joan Ganz Cooney

Joan Ganz Cooney | 01/08/2009 11:00 pm

How Joan Ganz Cooney Paved Her Way to 'Sesame Street'

I was working as a publicist for the TV drama series "The U.S. Steel Hour," and had lunch one day with the line producer of the series who told me he was leaving to go to work for the educational station in Boston. This was before public television as a system existed, and I remember my head exploding and saying, "I had no idea there was such a thing as educational television." I knew instantly that whatever it was, it was for me. In fact, there was no educational station in New York. Channel 13 was a commercial station and, as it turned out, a court battle over its future was in progress, as a non-profit group fought and won the battle to have it turned into an educational station. I followed the case as it wound its way through the courts and when I read that the challengers had won, I finagled a meeting with the station manager and talked him into giving me a job as a producer of news and public affairs. A few years later, I fell in love with the idea of turning the tube into a real educator to benefit young children.
Liz Smith

Liz Smith | 01/08/2009 11:00 pm

Liz Smith: Journalism Was Plan B

When I was in the University of Texas drama department and realized I had no talent, it seemed logical to go for a Journalism major.

Click here on this text to read my New York Post column.

Mary Wells

Mary Wells | 01/09/2009 2:25 pm

The Road to Love? Not Always Direct, by Mary Wells

I had  been a child actress and had attended the Neighborhood Playhouse and Carnegie Tech’s drama school and it was assumed by my family that I would continue in the theater.

But while waiting for my husband to graduate I needed to earn a living, and the woman running the advertising department of a retail store in Youngstown, OH, figured that a theater background with the love of writing that had won me a number of awards should add up to a good copywriter in her department – and hired me.

It was love at first sight, meant to be, destiny, all that stuff. I never looked back. 

228 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

Chrome Toe
Hey thanks all for your responses. I’ve been feeling a bit down lately and they were uplifting.
By Chrome Toe on 01/09/2009 3:36 pm
Agyness O
Hey Chrome, my hat is off to you with your life accomplishments and the challenges you faced and stared down. Don’t stop now, you have so much to offer. I wish I lived near you as I am in need of a personal trainer for exercise. Cheers ……….
By Agyness O on 01/09/2009 9:30 pm
Jeannot Kensinger
Thank you for sharing your story. You are so right it is demanding and unhealthy. After x number of years you are burned out but to know that you are and to leave is the smart thing to do. Keep the door open for new opportunities and like you found what you needed the first time , it will come to you again. My very best wishes for a new career.
By Jeannot Kensinger on 01/10/2009 8:30 am
Ms. Dee
Career? All I ever really wanted was a happy home and a healthy family. That took up most of my fantasy life as a child. I just enjoyed entertaining. Singing and dancing. As a little kid, I used to “produce” little variety shows. Long before keraoke, I’d go up and down my street and sell tickets for people to come hear my play-mates and I sing along with the living room stereo on the front porch. And the neighbors would actually show up! But I remember the first time I confessed to a friend that I wanted to be an actress. He just looked at me and shook his head and said, “God doesn’t want you to be an actress.” So that was the first hurdle..
By Ms. Dee on 01/09/2009 9:33 am
Frannie Em
Ms Dee There was a little girl down the street from me that I got together with to put on plays. We shared role of producer/director, but since it was her backyard and playhouse, she always had final say. I just thought she was so smart. I’ve thought about her often through the years, he name was Janet (or Janice) Weisbaum. Her mother was always sweet and encouraging and we had the best fun. We sent her little brother and my little sisters out to sell tickets figuring they would make people want to come. It hardly ever worked so they had to sit and watch us. So long as they didn’t give into wanting to run around, the show would go on. Mrs. Weisbaum always brought refreshments out. Sounds like your plays were more successful than ours.
By Frannie Em on 01/09/2009 2:11 pm
Ms. Dee
Hahaha! I doubt it. It couldn’t have happened more than once or twice. But it’s a fairly fond memory. And, as always, I’m glad to hear I’m not the only one who pulled such stunts. I just wish I could muster up a little of that entrepeneurial spirit today!
By Ms. Dee on 01/09/2009 4:39 pm
Heather Cariou
This comment has been deleted as it violated our Ten Commandments of Posting on our website. A: The Ten Commandments of Commenting on wowOwow: Thou shalt not call one another derogatory names Thou shalt not make personal attacks on other readers or contributors Thou shalt not write anything libelous Thou shalt not ever make threats against another reader or contributor Thou shalt not use racist language Thou shalt not use violent language Thou shalt not swear excessively Thou shalt not have more than two identities registered from the same computer Thou shalt not solicit for goods or services Thou shalt not post or forward spam
By Heather Cariou on 01/09/2009 9:39 am
Frannie Em
Heather What a wonderful accomplishment. Thank you Peace and Grace
By Frannie Em on 01/09/2009 2:18 pm
Frannie Em
PS I was wondering if your comment would stay since you were advertising your book, can’t do that. Peace
By Frannie Em on 01/11/2009 3:16 am
Brooklyn Gal
Hi Heather, Are you the new Duchess of Delete? How is it that a person can have many identities on this site? Do they own a bevy of computers??
By Brooklyn Gal on 01/09/2009 6:46 pm
Heather Cariou
I don’t understand. I have only one computer, one identity, and made one posting this mornng that didn’t violate anything. I’m very upset and confused about this.
By Heather Cariou on 01/09/2009 7:04 pm
Brooklyn Gal
Sorry, I thought you worked for Wow and that’s why you posted the 10 Commandments.
By Brooklyn Gal on 01/09/2009 7:17 pm
Chrome Toe
I remember your post well and don’t recall anything in it that violated the commandmenets UNLESS they are counting that you added a link to your book???? which doesn’t make sense to me because they normally allow people to do that once or twice.
By Chrome Toe on 01/10/2009 8:47 am
phyllis Doyle Pepe
Heather: I think your message was deleted because you have been advertising your book. Wow accepts it once, but more than that is a no-no.
By phyllis Doyle Pepe on 01/10/2009 8:48 am
Frannie Em
Heather I think it was pulled because you were advertising your book.
By Frannie Em on 01/11/2009 3:17 am