From Newsroom to Narrative: Exploring Life and Literature with Golda Lee Bruce.
It’s 7:00 pm, the echoes of her voice bouncing off the walls so loud that I can hear my neighbour’s television in the same breath as a choir on Sunday morning. As my family scampered to their nearest television, eyes glued and anticipation high, there she was. The familiar face we had known every day for five days a week. With a smile every time, she would begin addressing our nation. The feelings of validation would often shoot down my spine as I felt elated to have representation that reminded me if she could do it, so could I.
With a notable career spanning several years, Golda Lee Bruce was a former prominent news anchor and journalist from Trinidad and Tobago who made significant contributions to the field of media. She garnered widespread recognition for her exemplary work in journalism, inspirational speaking, and being a dynamic presenter.
Beyond her commendable career in journalism, Golda has recently expanded her creative horizons by stepping into the realm of authorship and storytelling. This new venture showcases her multifaceted talents and unwavering commitment to effective communication, further solidifying her as a respected figure in both the realms of journalism and storytelling.
Golda’s new book, “Born on an Island,” is a book that encapsulates Caribbean life, tracing a young girl's quest for faith and belonging in this world. Let’s dive headfirst into this interview!
To truly understand your remarkable journey, let’s take a step back in time. Can you share some formative experiences from your childhood, school days, and young adulthood? How did these early years shape your path as a journalist and news anchor, paving the way for the extraordinary storyteller, journalist, and communication professional you are today?
Golda: I come from a family of communicators. Almost everyone in my family has been a writer, journalist, teacher, or public speaker at some time in their lives. My relatives always insisted on a high standard of communication. The children of the family were expected to speak and write well. We were trained to effectively express our ideas. That upbringing is fundamental to who I am today.
Golda, during my research, I learned that you grew up in a household that consisted predominantly of women. How did the strong female presence in your family impact your perspective on life and the career path you eventually pursued?
Golda: My mother, grandmother, and aunts were all intelligent, independent, and outspoken women, but they never lauded their achievements over others. They journeyed through life with a measure of humility and grace that I strive to emulate.
While at school, were there any subjects or activities that sparked your interest in media and communication, ultimately leading you toward a successful career as a journalist and news anchor?
Golda: I am often asked about what subjects one should pursue to become a journalist/anchor, and my answer is always that it is less about subjects and more about general curiosity. Certainly, studying English Language and Literature would serve you well, but curiosity and humility cannot be taught. Curiosity will keep you questioning how things work and why things are the way they are. Humility will remind you that there is always more to learn.
Throughout your career, you’ve exemplified a commitment to education and storytelling. How do you believe education has played a pivotal role in shaping not only your professional success but also your ability to connect with a diverse audience and tell compelling stories that resonate with people from different backgrounds?
Golda: Education is called the great equalizer for a reason. It does not cancel all of the prejudice and injustice that exists, but it certainly opens doors that otherwise would remain closed. However, it is also important for us to not only rely on formal education but also to take the initiative to learn on our own. It means researching and reading widely.
During your speech at The University of the Southern Caribbean’s Honours Convocation ceremony in 2018, you spoke on the value of humility and the importance of internships. Could you share your insights on how internships can lead to great opportunities even for those who may feel their bachelor’s degree sets them apart?
Golda: My experience has been that one foot in the right door is invaluable, but many young people stay out because internships tend not to pay a lot. I say if you can afford to, give it a go! Internships give you an opportunity to learn a lot and show your stuff. I and so many others got our start through an internship opportunity.
After leaving University, what were some of the significant steps you took to launch your own career in mass media? Did you pursue any internships yourself or gain invaluable experiences in the media industry before landing your first job?
Golda: Of course. My first job in media was an internship at TV6. I spent three months learning the ropes. More importantly, it helped me to form relationships with people who had a lot of influence on my media career. I have had vacation “jobs” since I was 12 years old.
As you navigated the initial years in media, how did you strike a balance between learning and adapting to the fast-paced industry while staying true to your own unique voice and style as a journalist and news anchor?
Golda: I think my style of anchoring and storytelling developed over time. When I first joined the media, I didn’t have a sense of exactly how I wanted to approach my role. It took many years of learning and failing, and advice from mentors to really settle on my own approach.
Did you face any significant challenges or barriers as a woman in media, and how did you overcome them?
Golda: I did not face many obstacles, but I did have a situation in which I was being paid much less than my male counterpart even though I was doing more than he was at the time. I complained and was ignored, and I eventually moved on.
During your time as a news anchor, you covered a wide range of stories. Are there any stories or investigative reports you worked on that had a lasting impact or were particularly close to your heart?
Golda: Many. So many that it is hard to choose just one. I recall a story about a young girl from an “inner-city” community who was learning to play the piano thanks to a charitable music programme. Her family could not afford a piano for her to practice at home. Not wanting her to fall behind, her father took it upon himself to draw the keys of a piano in their correct dimensions on the family’s dining table. There are many fathers who don’t step up to care for their children, but so many of them go above and beyond!
Your decision to step away from the news anchor role in 2018 must have been significant. Could you share with us what led you to make that decision and describe the emotions you felt on your final day as a news anchor?
Golda: It was an easy decision to make, but the process of leaving was difficult. Journalism was all I had ever done. From a very young age people had been calling me “The News Lady” so stepping away from the news set also gave me the feeling that I was disappointing people who had always watched me. That was hard.
Having moved from Trinidad and Tobago to the United States, how would you describe the experience of adapting to life in a new country? On a more personal note, what are some of the things you miss the most about life in Trinidad and Tobago while residing in the United States?
Golda: Adapting has been seamless. I will always miss home. Mostly, I miss my family and friends, but I also miss the food, Doubles especially. Many days I close my eyes and picture myself at the side of the road having Doubles for breakfast. It’s something I look forward to every time I go home.
As a first-time author, what were some of the most unexpected challenges you encountered during the writing process, and how did you navigate through them to bring your book to fruition?
Golda: The writing process was emotional but enjoyable. Reliving these parts of my past gave me a new perspective, healing, and a renewed sense of gratitude. The publishing process took much longer than I anticipated and it was full of ups and downs. But the process has taught me so much about myself. I am grateful for the personal growth I’ve experienced.
Although the team at Preshaa hasn’t had the opportunity to read your book “Born on an Island: Stories from a Trinidadian Girlhood” just yet, we are thrilled to discuss it with you. What is the book about and what do you hope readers will take away from the stories you’ve shared?
Golda: The book is a series of short stories from my childhood, adolescence, and early adulthood. I tell stories about myself, my schooling, my family, and my friends. I cover a wide range of subjects. I have always loved writing and I always planned to write a book. For many years I would live something and think, that would go in the book. For the last few years, I have shared many of my life experiences on my social media. The book is a continuation of that sharing. I hope that readers experience a range of emotions and I hope it will inspire them to reflect on their own stories and what we can all learn from them.
Creating a book is a deeply personal endeavour. How did you find the courage to share your thoughts and stories with the world, and what emotions did you experience as you prepared to release your work to readers?
Golda: You are correct, it is deeply personal. But when it comes to courage I had a headstart. I have been sharing personal stories on my social media for years and I have seen the healing that can be achieved by being vulnerable. Even so, publishing a book is still very scary, but I think that’s something that many writers and artists experience so I just took it as par for the course.
Now that your book is out in the world, how do you envision your writing journey evolving? What topics or themes do you aspire to explore in your future works, and what impact do you hope your writing will have on your readers and the literary landscape of Trinidad and Tobago?
Golda: I hope to continue sharing more stories from my life. This particular style of journalism seems to be a good fit for me and who knows? I may experiment with other types of writing in the future. I would really love to see “Born on an Island” on a secondary school booklist.
Unfortunately for us, this is our final question. What message or piece of advice would you like to share with our readers, especially aspiring journalists, storytellers, and those navigating their own career journeys?
Golda: Thank you for this opportunity. My advice would be to just do the things you know you’re supposed to be doing. All of us have goals that we would like to achieve, things that we talk about doing. Go on and get started. Take baby steps if you must, but start. Life is for the doers. Talent is helpful, and inspiration is important, but it boils down to getting things done. So go on and do the things that you know are for you to do.
As a woman hailing from Trinidad and Tobago, being given the opportunity to interview Golda was incredibly significant for me. When Golda agreed to the interview, my excitement was so overwhelming that I couldn’t help but scream, jump, and dance with joy. In wrapping up this insightful journey through the life and experiences of the remarkable Golda Lee Bruce, we're reminded of the power that lies within each of us to carve our own path, just as she did.
Her narrative serves as a shining example that our aspirations hold no bounds when we foster faith in ourselves. Let us take a page from her book, both figuratively and literally, and embark on our own journeys with the conviction that our potential knows no limits.
Be sure to follow her journey on all the relevant social media platforms and check out all leading bookstores to get yourself a copy of her new book. For those who are interested in getting even more insights into Golda’s fascinating story, she recently released an interview with Khamal Georges that we think everyone should check out.