Former NBC4 journalist looks back on her time working with President Jimmy Carter
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Ann B. Walker is a Columbus media icon, former columnist, journalist, and radio host.
She was the first woman to broadcast management in Columbus and first female African American journalist to cover Columbus City Hall, as well as the first woman broadcaster to cover the Ohio Legislature.
Walker also started working at Channel 4 in the 1960’s decades before working in Jimmy Carter's White House. She recently spoke with NBC4 on her history working alongside the 39th President of the United States, including her first meeting with Carter in which she had a seat right next to him.
“And (Carter) said (to me), ‘come up here’. And so this (other) man was getting ready to sit here. But when the President says somebody come up here, (that man) can’t sit there," Walker said.
Walker’s first encounter with Jimmy Carter was while covering a meeting for the Poor People's Campaign. The job was a special assignment for Columbus’ WVKO radio.
“This was in Little Rock, Arkansas. (Hubert) Humphrey was running for the presidency. Jimmy Carter was, and Jimmy talked about the things he would do if he were elected and the things that he did weren’t political," Walker said.
Walker recalled her question about a political coup in Ghana stood out from other questions asked by fellow reporters
“When it was over, he said ‘you evidently did your homework’,” she said.
Two years later, in 1976, presidential candidate Carter came to NBC4. Walker was working at the station producing and hosting TV specials and running an internship program. When an Associated Press reporter backed out of the Carter interview, Walker says news director and anchor Hugh DeMoss, who also interviewed the presidential candidate, called on her. Walker says DeMoss focused on the other candidates.
“But Ann Walker would say (to Carter), ‘When you were in Little Rock, you said thus and so, that if you were elected, you would do this, do that. Would you still, once you were elected, would you still have that kind of programs to help people?’”
Carter won the White House in 1980. His team called Walker's Columbus home where her husband had taken a message.
“They wanted a person to do PR for the poor People's Campaign for People's Organization,” she said.
Walker became a special assistant director to the director of the White House Public Affairs Office. It's how she ended up at the table.
“He genuinely was (a nice person). And so, when you look at the presidents there aren't that many, you can say that about. I just knew he was a good guy, and it was just unfortunate that he could only serve one term.”
Governor DeWine issues statement on Jimmy Carter's death
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine issued the following statement on the death of former President Jimmy Carter.
“President Carter lived his faith through his public life, and he had one of the most impactful post-presidencies in American history. He dedicated his life to humanitarian work, including the building of housing through Habitat for Humanity, for which he became synonymous. He founded the Carter Center to support democracy and fight disease across the globe.
“President Carter was a member of our Greatest Generation, and was awarded the World War II victory medal, among others, for his service in the United States Navy. President Carter was our longest living ex-President, and he and the late First Lady Rosalynn were the longest-married presidential couple in history, having celebrated their 77th wedding anniversary.
“Fran and I extended our sincerest condolences to President Carter’s children Jack, James, Donnel, and Amy, and his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.”
Mayor Ginther releases statement
Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther released a statement on his Facebook page, along with a photo of him and Carter shaking hands. Ginther served as an intern at the Carter Center during the summers of 1995 and 1996.
"Blessed are the peacemakers, and President Jimmy Carter was truly one of the greatest of them. An incredible American, he spent his life dedicated to uplifting human dignity, both in the United States and around the world. I had the honor of interning for him at the Carter Center during the summers of 1995 and 1996, where I witnessed firsthand his deep commitment to humanitarian work. His legacy continues to inspire us today, as we strive to build peace in our neighborhoods and across the globe. An American hero, President Carter’s life reminds us that one person’s devotion to service and justice can change the world."
Congresswoman Beatty calls Carter a 'global peacemaker'
Ohio's third congressional district representative Joyce Beatty said Carter was, "a global peacemaker who showed that peace is not only forged through historic agreements and support for democratic efforts around the world, but also by advancing human dignity in areas like housing, healthcare, and more. His tireless dedication to the practical hard work of building a better world personified what it means to lead with intention and compassion. May this visionary leader, who served with unparalleled moral clarity and strength, rest in peace and power."