Chloe Aaron
Chloe Wellingham Aaron | |
|---|---|
| Born | 9 October 1938 |
| Died | 29 February 2020(aged 81) |
| Occupation | American television executive |
Chloe Wellingham Aaron(October 9, 1938 – February 29, 2020) was an American television executive, best known for her work at thePublic Broadcasting Service.
Early life
[edit]Aaron, bornChloe Wellingham,was born on October 9, 1938, inSanta Monica, California.[1]
In 1961, Aaron graduated fromOccidental CollegeinLos Angeles.[2]In 1962, Aaron graduated fromGeorge Washington UniversityinWashington, D.C.,with amaster's degreeinAmerican studies.[1]
Career
[edit]Prior to joining theNational Endowment for the Arts,Aaron worked as afreelance writer.[1]
In 1970, Aaron became the founding director of the Public Media Program at the National Endowment for the Arts. There, she coordinated programs and grants forindependent filmmakersand minority artists.[1]
From 1976 to 1980, Aaron was senior vice president for programming of thePublic Broadcasting Service.There, she introduced a system for satellite distribution to PBS member stations, established a schedule for PBS stations to broadcast national programs concurrently, and expanded broadcasts. Aaron promoted and expanded programs includingPBS NewsHour,Nova,American Playhouse,documentaries, and liveoperaperformances such as those of theMetropolitan Opera.[1][3]According toThe Wall Street Journal,Aaron "helped give the public television network a national identity" and was the "most influential woman in television in the late 1970s."[3]
In the 1980s, Aaron worked as an independentconsultantandfilm producer.In 1989 and 1990, Aaron was vice president ofWNYC-TVinNew York.In the 1990s, Aaron lived inEuropewhile her husbandDavid L. Aaronserved asambassadorto theOrganisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.There, she produced a news show for Italian television.[1]
Aaron also established an initiative to preserveclassicfilms and historically importanttelevision programsat theLibrary of CongressinWashington, D.C.,and at theMuseum of Modern ArtinNew York City.[1]
Personal life
[edit]In 1962, Aaron marriedDavid L. Aaron,an American diplomat who has held several government positions, includingDeputy National Security Advisorto PresidentJimmy Carter.[2]
Aaron died at her home on February 29, 2020, caused bycancerandchronic obstructive pulmonary disease.[1]
References
[edit]- ^abcdefghBarnes, Bart (April 7, 2020)."Chloe Aaron, PBS executive, dies at 81".The Washington Post.RetrievedApril 14,2020.
- ^abGenzlinger, Neil (31 March 2020)."Chloe Aaron, a Top PBS Executive, Is Dead at 81".The New York Times.Retrieved30 April2020.
- ^abHagerty, James R. (April 3, 2020)."Chloe Aaron Guided Programming for PBS in the Late 1970s".The Wall Street Journal.RetrievedApril 14,2020.
