Brooke Baldwin fought back tears as she anchored her CNN show, CNN Newsroom with Brooke Baldwin, for the last time Friday.
“I’m filled with emotion and gratitude,” she said after her co-workers surprised her with a video compilation of some of her notable stories.
She explained that her job initially had to be temporary. Baldwin was supposed to fill in for a week until a permanent host could be found, she said. Eventually, she remained in that position for 11 years, which she called “a deep privilege.”
The author of Huddle: How women unlock their collective power thanks her CNN family for pushing her and making her better. She thanks the audience at home for their loyalty.
“To you at home, thank you. Thank you for trusting me, thank you for holding me accountable,” Baldwin said. “Thank you for all the love.”
In her last few moments, Baldwin called for more diversity in all areas of storytelling.
The day was emotional, but Baldwin had plenty of time to prepare for it. She announced her plans to return in February.
As the Peabody-nominated journalist told Yahoo Entertainment this month, she’s come to the decision slowly over the last few years.
“It’s going to be hard to walk away. I have to walk away,” Baldwin said. “And the main reason is – listen, it was a total privilege … but I, when I spend all this time with all these pioneering women and these rallies, I can not keep up with it and not be the bravest version of myself. not.”
She also admitted to her father that he told her, “It’s a wonderful thing to be uncomfortable.”
She encouraged others to take his advice. “Get a little uncomfortable,” she told viewers Friday. “Speak. And keep pushing.”
As for the following, Baldwin said she does not know yet.
Her colleagues wished her well.
Read more on Yahoo Entertainment: