In 1947, a political roundtable show calledMeet the Pressdebuted on NBC.
More than seven decades later,Meet the Presshas since become a Sunday television tradition.
But since Rountree, each host of the program has been a man.
Photography courtesy of NBCUniversal / Design by Alexandra Folino
Welker took a (quick!)
Glamour:Big day on Sunday!
How are you feeling?
Welker at the anchor desk.
Are you just trying to put it out of your mind?
Because honestly, thats what I would be doing.
Kristen Welker:I am excited.
Welker reporting at the White House.
I’m feeling ready.
Of course, it’s only human to feel a little nerves as well.
Youre the first woman to host the show since Rountree and the first Black woman ever to host.
Welker with her family.
How does it feel to be breaking that barrier?
I stand on her shoulders.
It’s a really exciting time to be a young female journalist, especially for TV journalists.
You’re part of a cadre of women who are at the forefront of covering the next election.
Im thinking of people like Abby Phillip and Kaitlan Collins.
I wanted to talk a little bit about how you got here.
When did you catch the news bug, so to speak?
When did the idea of hostingMeet the Presscome on your radar?
I grew up in a family that was deeply passionate about politics.
We watchedMeet the PressandNBC Nightly News.
So I’ve always been a news junkie as well.
I wrote for my high school newspaper and my college newspaper.
I’ve always known that I wanted to be a journalist.
You are moving into this role at a pivotal time, right before the 2024 election.
There’s so much riding on it.
What sort of things are you trying to highlight leading up to 2024 in your coverage?
So I am going to be on the road in the early voting states, the swing states.
So that’s going to be in focus.
This is a country that is deeply divided.
Alot of people are feeling a sense of dread and anxiety about 2024.
KW:Look, I think it is important to stay informed.
I also think it is important to check that that you take time to step away.
[Welker has a two-year-old daughter, Margot.]
Do you have any tips for how to maintain that balance between home and work?
KW:It is an ongoing challenge, I think, for every working mom and every working parent.
And you hit the nail on the head.
This is how I approach it.
When I am at work, I am focused on work.
I’m 100% engaged because I want Margot to be proud of me.
And then when I’m with Margot, I’m 100% focused on Margot.
She’s the center of my universe.
Everything that I do, quite frankly, is for her.
I think it’s keeping all of that in mind and keeping all of that in perspective.
Youve been open about sharing your journey with infertility and the path that led you to Margot.
[Welker penned a viral essay forTodayin 2021 sharing her familys experience.]
Your advocacy has been so powerful, and Im curious how or if you plan on continuing that work.
KW:I think it’s important to be open and honest about our struggles.
I go back to the wordcommunity.
When we share our stories, we’re that much stronger.
When we come together as a community, we support each other.
I’m going to continue to stay in touch with that community.
I’ve done some events this past year in support of families who are struggling with infertility.
Youve made it to the top of what has always been a very competitive, cutthroat industry.
It’s also about staying in touch with the people who keep you grounded.
Family comes first: my daughter, my husband, my parents, my husband’s family.
And keeping your finger on the pulse of what matters.
KW:My advice is to be passionate and energetic.
When you come to work every day, raise your hand and say yes.
You will also show to those around you that you’re serious.
It’s about picking yourself up, getting back up, and moving forward.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
