Suzanne Malveaux accepts award from John D. Hofmeister (left) (pres. Shell Oil Co.; chairman, National Urban League); and Marc Morial (pres. and CEO, National Urban League)

White House Correspondent, CNN

Whatever vital event America witnessed, Suzanne Malveaux reported it. She covered the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Pres. Clinton's impeachment, and the Elian Gonzalez story (the little boy who sailed from Cuba alone after his mother drowned). As the CNN White House correspondent, Malveaux has interviewed President Bush and the First Lady, as well as former Presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton. This year, Malveaux was honored at the National Urban League's Women's of Power Awards Luncheon for her career achievements.

"I know your position gives you a certain sense of power. I have a vehicle through CNN to hold the administration accountable," says the award-winning journalist. "My grandparents did not go beyond a fifth grade education, because they had to work. My parents went to segregated schools, and some of my relatives lost everything in Katrina. There are those moments where I draw my strength from them." Being a powerful woman is not something Malveaux credits to herself. She finds wisdom and courage in other people, especially those that she has come in contact with in her high-stakes position.

"I think another thing about power - and what makes you powerful - is perhaps drawing that power from other people. I try to do that in the stories that I cover. One that I will never forget was the Africa trip. I got to interview a woman who was a survivor of genocide. She was gang-raped. And I really had one question for her: 'Where do you get your strength?' and she said, 'faith.' That day I learned something," says Malveaux. - adrienne gadling



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