Helen Zelkowitz

Helen Zelkowitz
Helen Zelkowitz
Born	Helen E. Weiner; November 7, 1911; Columbus, Ohio, U.S.
Died	December 16, 2006 (aged 95); Columbus, Ohio, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	News presenter
Spouse	Charles Zelkowitz (m. 1933)

Helen E. Weiner Zelkowitz (November 7, 1911^[1] – December 16, 2006) was an American broadcaster, the co-founder of two radio stations, and a member of the Ohio Women's Hall of Fame.

Early years

Zelkowitz was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio.^[2]

Broadcasting

On May 26, 1951, Zelkowitz and her husband, Charles, began WMVO-FM, a radio station in Mount Vernon, Ohio. They complemented that station with the launching of WMVO (AM) in Mount Vernon two years later.^[2] In 1972, they expanded their media holdings with the creation of Mount Vernon Cablevision.^[3]

Zelkowitz was involved with the two stations in a variety of ways, from being president of the business to being sales manager, general manager, and community director. After the creation of Mount Vernon Cablevision, she served as chairperson of the board of the three operations' umbrella organization, Mount Vernon Broadcasting Company.^[2] On the air, she was host of the Coffee Cup program, described as "an intimate daily portrait of Knox County life",^[4] for 44 years.^[2] She was estimated to have broadcast 11,440 episodes of that program.^[5]

Civic activities

In 1977, Zelkowitz was appointed to a three-year term as a member of the Ohio State Newark Campus Citizens Advisory Council.^[6]

Zelkowitz and her family played a key role in creating the Food for the Hungry Drive in 1981.^[7] She also was charter president of the Mount Vernon chapter of Soroptimist International.^[8]

In 2001, Zelkowitz donated $50,000 to Kenyon College to establish the Zelkowitz Family Kenyon Hillel Endowment Fund to support Jewish studies and Jewish education at the college.^[3]

Personal life

She married Charles Zelkowitz on February 13, 1933.^[2]

Death

On December 16, 2006, Zelkowitz died at Grant Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, after being injured as a passenger in a single-car accident. She was 95 years old.^[7]

Recognition

In 1971, Zelkowitz was recognized by the Hi-O chapter of the American Women in Radio and Television for her contributions to the broadcasting industry.^[9] She was also the first recipient of the Woman Broadcaster of the Year from the Ohio Assistant of Broadcasters.^[2]

In 1997, Zelkowitz became a member of the Ohio Women's Hall of Fame.^[4]

References

^ Royster, Jacqueline Jones (2003). Profiles of Ohio Women, 1803-2003. Athens, OH: Ohio University Press. ISBN 0-8214-1508-5.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Royster, Jacqueline Jones (2003). Profiles of Ohio Women, 1803-2003. Ohio University Press. ISBN 9780821415085. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
^ ^a ^b "Endows Fund". News-Journal. Ohio, Mansfield. January 14, 2001. p. 21. Retrieved June 14, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
^ ^a ^b "Helen Zelkowitz h'06". Kenyon College Alumni Bulletin. Kenyon College. Archived from the original on 16 June 2018. Retrieved 16 June 2018.
^ "Knox County Radio Pioneer Dies". WCLT.com. WCLT Radio, Inc. Archived from the original on 16 June 2018. Retrieved 16 June 2018.
^ "Breon Assists Newark Campus". The Tribune. Ohio, Coshocton. February 2, 1977. p. 8. Retrieved June 14, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
^ ^a ^b Werner, Dan (December 17, 2006). "Elderly sisters killed". News-Journal. Ohio, Mansfield. p. 11. Retrieved June 14, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Mount Vernon exhibit pays tribute to area's women". News-Journal. Ohio, Mansfield. October 23, 1996. p. 23. Retrieved June 14, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Mt. Vernon Woman Honored at Meeting". News-Journal. Ohio, Mansfield. May 25, 1971. p. 12. Retrieved June 14, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.