The Washington Association of Black Journalists (WABJ) sends congratulations and best wishes to veteran broadcast journalist Pat Lawson Muse, who is retiring from NBC4 Washington (WRC-TV) after more than 40 years at the station. Her final newscast is Friday, March 24 at 4 p.m.
Lawson Muse began as a student researcher in 1977 at WRC. She had a stint in Washington radio and started her television career in Baltimore before returning to D.C. in 1982 as an anchor. Her footprint in the D.C. area media scene has been deepening ever since.
The Howard University alumna and member of the National Association of Black Journalists made historic strides when she partnered with then-NBC4 Barbara Harrison to form the country’s first all-female local news team. She’s also anchored segments such as Reporter’s Notebook, Viewpoint and News4Your Sunday. The multi–EMMY Award winning journalist is known as the anchor who reports the news with “dignity and kindness.”
“Pat Lawson Muse is a legend whose on-air presence and talent will be missed. Her groundbreaking career is an inspiration to the next generation of Black journalists,” said WABJ President Khorri Atkinson. “She’s made an incredible mark on the industry, and WABJ wishes her good health, delight and continued success as she embarks on a new journey.”
Lawson Muse, who announced her retirement earlier this month, told viewers that, “It was a high milestone for me when I walked through the doors of WRC as a student researcher back in 1977.”
“I could never have imagined that years later, I’d return as a general assignment reporter and anchor, and then make this my home for more than four decades,” she added. “I’ve had the sincere privilege of covering and reporting some of the most important news of our lifetime, and telling the stories that have been most important to you who live and work in this great, big, wonderfully diverse community.”
