Fra Noi Embrace Your Inner Italian
Tempus fugit! Time flies! It’s time for the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans first event of the year. President Antonio Romanucci and Chairman Dominic Di Frisco recently named the recipient of our Dante Award. Since 1972 the JCCIA has selected a person from the media who exemplifies Dante’s Credo, “Be No Timid Friend to Truth.” This tradition began when the Human Relations committee, concerned with anti-defamation, felt it necessary to recognize those who foster a positive image of Italian Americans. Every year our award luncheon is filed with past presidents, past officers, past Dante awardees and numerous supporters of this most prestigious event.
Linda Yu, one of Chicago’s most respected and well-known broadcasters, co-anchors ABC 7’s top rated 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. newscasts. She joined ABC 7 Chicago in 1984. In April, 2005, Yu was inducted into the prestigious “Silver Circle” of legendary Chicago broadcasters. Given by the Chicago/Midwest chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, the Silver Circle award recognizes significant contributions to Chicago broadcasting.
During her career in Chicago, Yu has earned five local Emmy awards. Most recently, she won an Emmy for her contributions to a primetime special, “Chicago’s Road to China,” exploring the Chicago connections to that fast growing Asian economy. She was also honored with an Emmy for her work examining the aftermath of 9/11. In 1987, she received the Emmy for Outstanding Achievement within a Regularly Scheduled News Program, Spot Coverage. In 1982, she won for her coverage of a construction accident in Chicago’s loop, and in 1981, she received the Emmy for a special newscast on the assassination attempt on President Reagan. Yu also was honored with a National Gold Medal from the National Conference of Community and Justice for her documentary, “The Scars of Belfast” in 1984.
Prior to joining ABC 7 Chicago, Yu served as the co-anchor for WMAQ-TV/Chicago’s 4:30 and 10 p.m. newscasts (1980-84). She joined the station in 1979 as a general assignment reporter and weekend co-anchor.
Before arriving in Chicago, Yu worked as a general assignment reporter and fill-in anchor at KGO-TV, the ABC-owned station in San Francisco, Calif. (1975-79). During her time at KGO-TV, her report on uninsured motorists prompted the introduction of state legislation to protect residents from these drivers. Prior to this, Yu was a reporter at KATU-TV in Portland, Ore. (1975).
She began her broadcasting career at KTLA-TV and KABC-TV, the ABC-owned station in Los Angeles, Calif.
Yu serves on the board of the Juvenile Protective Association, and is the Advisory Board Chairperson for the Chinese American Service League. She is also a co-founder of the Chicago Chapter of the Asian-American Journalists Association.
Born in Xian, China, Yu moved with her family to Hong Kong when she was two years old. They immigrated to the United States three years later, first to Pennsylvania, then to Indiana, and finally to California.
Yu graduated from the University of Southern California with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism in 1968. She resides in Chicago with her children.
Our annual luncheon is at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 19th at Galleria Marchetti, 825 W. Erie in Chicago. Valet parking is available. Tickets are $65.00. Reservations are a must. Call Marie at 708-450-9050.
