UNC-TV Presents.
BIOGRAPHICAL CONVERSATIONS WITH.RUTH EASTERLING
Three-Part Series Captures the Life & Times of This Influential State Legislator

In three consecutive Sunday evening episodes, beginning Sunday, August 7, at 7 PM, UNC-TV presents the many contributions of a legendary North Carolina legislator during the all-new series Biographical Conversations With.Ruth Easterling.

Ruth Moss Easterling's 13 terms as a Democratic member of the North Carolina House of Representatives and unwavering defense of such educational initiatives such as Smart Start made her well-known and well-respected in the legislature and throughout the state. Recognized for her tireless advocacy for improved education and increases in teacher pay Easterling proved to be one of the state's most effective policy makers. Now in her mid-90s this energetic Tar Heel continues to encourage women to participate in the political process.

Series host Shannon Vickery takes part in the one-on-one exchanges with this influential policymakerthroughout all three episodes of Biographical Conversation With.Ruth Easterling. From discussions of her unexpected appointment to the Charlotte City Council early in her life to later reminiscences of becoming the first female co-chair of the North Carolina House Appropriations Committee, the series shares the history and heritage of one of North Carolina's most influential women.

The first installment of Biographical Conversations With.Ruth Easterling begins with Easterling's candid recollections from her childhood in South Carolina, remembrances of establishing the North CarolinaCouncilon the Status of Women, and memories of the unexpected appointment to the Charlotte City Council that would begin her lengthy career in local leadership.

Part two of Biographical Conversations With.Ruth Easterling, airing Sunday, August 14, at 7 PM, highlights Easterling's election to the General Assembly, her fight to pass the Equal Rights Amendment in North Carolina, and her introduction of a controversial and divisive cigarette tax bill.

In the conclusion of Biographical Conversations With.Ruth Easterling, airing Sunday, August 21, at 7 PM, this prolific local politician and public servant candidly recounts her years spent improving education, chairing the House Appropriations Committee, and her retirement from the General Assembly at age 92.

Biographical Conversations With.Ruth Easterling is part of an ongoing series produced by UNC-TV. North Carolina's late Senator Terry Sanford, former Senator Jesse Helms, historian John Hope Franklin, former University of North Carolina President and North Carolina People host William Friday, philanthropistMary Duke Biddle Trent Semans, photographer Hugh Morton and civil rights attorney Julius Chambers were featured in previous Biographical Conversations With. specials. Former North Carolina GovernorJames Holshouser is the subject of an upcoming installment of the series.

Biographical Conversations With. is an ongoing original production of UNC-TV funded by a generous grant from the A.J. Fletcher Foundation. Materials collected for the programs are available to scholars, researchers and the public. UNC-TV is the statewide broadcast network of the University of North Carolina and is made possible through a unique partnership of public investment and private support. Its commitment to producing programs for and about North Carolina make it one of the state's most valuable sources of information.

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