Linda Spalla often refers to her life as a Cinderella story. Yes, she started with nothing and made it to the top of her field, but she didn’t have a fairy godmother to get her there. She became the New York Broadcast Group’s first female television station manager because of her inner strength, perseverance and determination, and that’s why she deserves this induction into the Alabama Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame.

Once upon a time Spalling was divorced, jobless and homeless, but she could type.

“I had to have a job and I was a good typist,” says Spalla. “Channel 19 needed a sales secretary. I aced the typing test, got the job and that’s where it all started.”

“My boss saw that there was more potential there than just being a typist and he offered me a job in sales. I turned it down because it was straight commission, and I was scared. But about a year later he called me into his office and offered me the job again. He said if I turned it down, he’d never offer it to me again. I took it.”

Spalla did well in sales which led to more promotions.

“I was offered the local sales manager’s job and then I was director of marketing,” says Spalla. “Then the station was bought by the New York Times company, and they believed keenly in diversity. I’m quite sure that I got my job as the general manager because I was female, but I did not keep it because I was female.”

“I told them there’s a lot I don’t know and later on one of my bosses said, ‘you know, Linda, you were right!’”, she laughs. “There were so many days where I doubted that I could do it, but I kept telling myself I could. And I hired people who were smarter than I was. That’s the secret.”

“Being the first female general manager – that in itself was a big deal. Not just because she was female, but because she was really good at her job,” says Stan Pylant, current general manager of WHNT-TV. “She was a mover and a shaker because she really got involved in the community. She knew all the players and all the politicians. She knew how to get things done.”

“She embodies everything about local television community. She was a leader in the station, and she was one that was willing to walk the walk. Whatever she asked other people to do, she would do it herself.” 

“Every once in a while, maybe just once, you have the right place the right time, the right people, and you get to make magic together,” says Spalla.  “And that’s what we did with that particular staff. It was just fabulous.”

Spalla offers common sense advice based on her 25 year career in station management.

“Never give up,” she says. “Say your prayers. Believe in yourself. Help other people. Give them a chance. Be kind.”

Since retiring, Spalla has stayed busy. She’s an in-demand public speaker and she’s written several books.  Her first book, Leading Ladies, was published in 2003, offering practical leadership tips for women, encouraging them to embrace their femininity as a leadership asset.

She also met her Prince Charming. “I met this wonderful guy who is a Parisian. I met him through a mutual friend,” smiles Spalla. “One thing led to two and one night we’re sitting in a nice restaurant, and he leaned in and said, ‘I want to take you to Paris.’ And for the last 20 years we’ve been going every summer! Imagine that? It was like fate saved Paris for me until I was ready to be there.”

“You know, Channel 19 is a piece of my life and one of the best pieces,” says Spalla. “But I will say that the best years of my life have been retirement, because I met my guy and fell in love with Paris!”

This Cinderella may not have had a fairy Godmother, but it seems that in the end, she managed to create her own “happily ever after”.