When women support women, the doors get blown off history.
A case in point is the great Savannah Guthrie, who nominated her fellow “TODAY” co-host Hoda Kotb to be on our second annual “50 Over 50” list, which was released on Thursday. The list, in partnership with Know Your Value and Forbes, celebrates women who have achieved their greatest success after the age of 50.
Hoda takes the message of this important initiative to a whole new level. At 58, she has found personal happiness and her greatest professional success just in the past few years.
She is a message to every woman who always felt they weren’t “the one” or that they would always be on the sidelines – or that dreams of a family would be out of reach.
It was in her 50s that Hoda became a co-anchor of “TODAY.” It was in her 50s that she became a new mother when she adopted two beautiful girls, Haley and Hope. It was in her 50s that Hoda can say, “this was my best decade ever.”
The decision to nominate her co-worker was a no-brainer for Savannah. She said Hoda is “profoundly inspiring to women everywhere,” especially to those – like Savannah – who also came to motherhood later in life.
“Hoda is the living, breathing demonstration that you can have it all, and you can have it on your own terms… She represents to me what a modern woman is. She is strong. She is beautiful. She is kind. She is authentic. She is devoted to her family. She maintains and cultivates her friendships. And she is an incredible professional and a wonderful journalist,” said Savannah.
Hoda and Savannah are an amazing example of what can happen when we women advocate for each other. And they are the future. Twenty years ago, would anyone have ever imagined that two strong women in their 50s would host “TODAY”?
And yet, experience, empathy, and wisdom drive the morning every day on “TODAY” – and by simply being there for us every morning, more doors are opening for women of all ages.
They demonstrate every morning how women can be powerful allies for each other in every way.
I am so grateful that I work at a company that prioritizes so many prominent women on on our airwaves and in our leadership. From Hoda and Savannah, to MSNBC president Rashida Jones, NBC News chief Washington correspondent Andrea Mitchell, NBC News chief White House correspondent Kristen Welker, NBCUniversal’s chairman of global advertising and partnerships Linda Yaccarino, and so many more.
Savannah and Hoda’s teamwork and leadership through good and turbulent times is leveling the playing field! I am honored to know them both. Hoda never gave up on herself – and we are all better for it.
Mika Brzezinski is the co-host of MS NOW's Morning Joe, founder of “Know Your Value” and author of four best-selling books, including “EARN IT!: Know Your Value and Grow Your Career, in Your 20s and Beyond” (Hachette Books; May 7, 2019) with co-author Daniela Pierre-Bravo. Prior to joining MSNBC in 2007, Mika was an anchor of CBS Evening News Weekend Edition and a CBS News correspondent who frequently contributed to CBS Sunday Morning and 60 Minutes.