Women’s Museum celebrates women of broadcast history in San Diego and holds tribute to La Jollan Gloria Penner

By Lonnie Burstein Hewitt

The Women’s Museum of California (now located in Liberty Station) celebrated Women of Broadcast History with a special event that included a tribute to Gloria Penner, whose groundbreaking work in radio and television put her in the forefront of San Diego’s women “on air.” The Nov. 9, 2012 event was held at Liberty Station’s McMillan Event Center.

Penner, a multi-award-winner who died Oct. 6, 2012 after a yearlong battle with pancreatic cancer, joined KPBS as a journalist in 1969. An expert in politics and public affairs, she was a gifted interviewer of local movers and shakers, and a role model for women in broadcasting in San Diego and beyond.

Among the 14 other broadcasters honored were KGTV 10News anchor Kimberly Hunt, former KGTV anchor Bree Walker, and Kathi Diamant, former SunUp San Diego co-anchor and a colleague of Penner’s at KPBS.

After dinner, and before introducing the honorees, Women’s Museum Director Ashley Gardner addressed the upbeat gathering: “What a wonderful thing to do — have a party on a Friday night with all your friends!” She also announced a lasting tribute: the establishment of a Gloria Penner Educational Fund to support special projects and programming at the Women’s Museum. For more information, visit