Photo of Robin Roberts smiling

Robin Roberts: Raising the Bar of Courage and Determination

Robin Roberts was born on November 23, 1960 in Tuskegee, Mississippi. Her father, Colonel Lawrence E. Roberts, was a pilot with the famous Tuskegee Airmen. She grew up in Pass Christian, which was completely devastated by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. She offered both heartbreaking and heartfelt reports from that area as a broadcaster for ABC. She became co-anchor of Good Morning America in 2005 after working as a journalist with ESPN for over 15 years.

Robin Roberts Her love of sports began with heavy involvement in basketball and tennis. She was offered a basketball scholarship to Louisiana State University, but Roberts chose to accept a tennis scholarship

 

to Southeastern Louisiana University. She went on to demonstrate remarkable talent and skill on the basketball team. Her jersey was retired when she ended her collegiate career as the school’s third-highest scoring player. After graduating with a degree in communications, she decided to follow in the footsteps of an older sibling, Sally-Ann Roberts and became an anchor at a CBS affiliate station in New Orleans.

She was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer in 2007 and underwent surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. Shortly after, in 2009, she secured the co-anchor position on Good Morning America with George Stephanopoulos. By 2012, the team had improved the ratings making it the number one morning show. The Today Show on NBC had held that honor for 16 years. The American public was smitten with Robin Roberts.

Robin Roberts Cancer

Shocking health news arrived in 2012 when she was diagnosed with a bone marrow disease called Myelodysplastic syndrome or MDS. The moment she took the news public the Be the Match Registry noted a 1,800% rise in donor registration. Robin was forced to take a leave of absence from the show and underwent a bone marrow transplant. Her triumphant return to Good Morning America happened on February 20, 2013. She was honored by receiving the Peabody Award for the program.

How Well Do You Know Robin Roberts?

Robin Roberts has demonstrated courage and offered a view into a private time in life that many would want to hide from the world. Her selfless acts brought about more awareness to MDS and the fact that so many became a donor saved lives through Robin sharing with her story of success publicly. Millions of faithful viewers have found the strength to fight their own battles through the Leadership of this brave survivor!

Television host Robin Roberts

On a personal note, as a VIP member of the National Association of Professional Women, I met Robin Roberts at our Annual Conference in April of 2014. She was very gracious to take a picture with me and to autograph her book that was given in my welcome bag. I admire and love this woman so much. She is an inspiration to us all.

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