Journalism and Mass Communications, College of

 

Date of this Version

Spring 4-18-2013

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A THESIS Presented to the Faculty of The Graduate College at the University of Nebraska In Partial Fulfillment of Requirements For the Degree of Master of Arts, Major: Journalism and Mass Communications, Under the Supervision of Professor Larry Walklin. Lincoln, Nebraska: May, 2013

Copyright (c) 2013 Piper Peteet-Kilgore

Abstract

The purpose of this thesis was to take a detailed look into the life of cable television pioneer Yolanda Barco and demonstrate that her achievements in cable telecommunications have directly impacted the success of the cable telecommunications industry.

The daughter of cable television pioneer George Barco, Yolanda Barco worked alongside her father advocating for the rights of cable television during the early years of the industry. Following a biographical story framework, this research follows a timeline of her career discussing her family life, education, how she became involved in the cable television industry, achievements in cable television and the lasting effects her work has had on the industry. Information for this study was gathered through interviews with cable television industry leaders who worked with the pioneer, newspaper and newsletter articles, television broadcasts as well as the review of personal statements and interviews of Yolanda Barco that occurred before her death.

At a time when the efforts of women within the cable television industry were not readily recognized, Yolanda Barco became the first woman general manager of a cable television system, the first woman to be elected to the National Cable Television Association board of directors and the first woman to be elected president of a state cable industry association. Her achievements demonstrate that as an individual and a woman, Yolanda Barco did make a significant impact on the cable television industry.

Advisor: Larry Walklin

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