Hoda Kotb Reflects on Past Anger Over Unrecognized Female NBC VPs

Hoda Kotb Recalls Feeling 'Anger' After Female NBC Vice President Were Not Recognized as Higher-Ups

Hoda Kotb Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images

In honor of International Women’s Day, Hoda Kotb shared a touching story about witnessing barriers being shattered at NBC.

Kotb, 59, recalled a moment from the past at NBC during a big event. She remembered a table full of vice presidents sitting in a restaurant. The waiter approached the table and informed the group that the table was reserved for vice presidents. To which, the women responded, “We are vice presidents.”

Kotb recalls feeling the anger from the executives during the exchange, as they felt singled out. She reflects on the strides women have made over the years, emphasizing that women are the ones who figure things out.

During her discussion on International Women's Day with cohost Jenna Bush Hager, Kotb mentioned her confusion over why women are not asked the same questions about their accomplishments as men.

Kotb shared an experience where a woman on the red carpet expressed her frustration with being asked about being a woman director repeatedly. She mentioned being tired of the same type of questions being asked.

Bush Hager, on the other hand, pointed out that even Kotb must get tired of being asked about her and Savannah Guthrie becoming the first female Today show coanchors. She emphasized the importance of focusing on the present moment, such as hosting the Today show, instead of dwelling on past achievements.

Kotb thinks it's great that her kids will grow up seeing women break boundaries and not think it's strange. She finds it unbelievable that in today's world, we're still having these conversations. Kotb shares her daughters Haley, 7, and Hope, 4, with her ex Joel Schiffman, while Bush Hager has kids Mila, 10, Poppy, 8, and Hal, 4, with her husband, Henry Hager.

Hoda Kotb Recalls Feeling 'Anger' After Female NBC Vice President Were Not Recognized as Higher-Ups

After appearing on Friday's episode of Today, Hoda Kotb went to a Q&A and book signing in New York City for her latest children's book, Hope Is a Rainbow. The book is inspired by her youngest daughter. She shared pictures from the event on Instagram, thanking @sidjacobsonjcc for hosting and @stephruhle for moderating. Kotb expressed her gratitude for the laughs and tears experienced during the event, using the hashtag #hopeisarainbow.

Kotb recently opened up about her daughter Hope's health scare in 2023. This resulted in Kotb being absent from the Today show for two weeks in February. When she returned to the NBC morning show, Kotb shared that Hope had spent several days in the ICU, but did not go into detail about her condition.

In an interview with People published on March 6, Kotb described the ordeal as a "scary stretch." She expressed how any parent who has gone through a similar experience with their child would understand the feeling. Kotb shared her disbelief at seeing her child sick, feeling powerless to help, and unable to protect her, which goes against the natural instincts of a parent. This was a new and challenging position for Kotb to find herself in.

Kotb mentioned that things have improved since Hope's hospitalization and she is focused on maintaining a sense of normalcy for her daughter. She expressed that she is cautious about labeling Hope and wants her to be seen as the vibrant child she is. Kotb emphasized that most days, everything is fine and she doesn't want others to treat Hope differently.

Editor's P/S:

Hoda Kotb's poignant reflection on International Women's Day highlights the significant progress made by women in breaking barriers and shattering stereotypes. The incident she recounted, where women vice presidents were initially denied a table reservation, serves as a testament to the challenges women have faced in the past. However, the collective response of the women, asserting their rightful place, demonstrates the remarkable strides taken towards gender equality.

Kotb's discussion on the different questions posed to women and men in the media underscores the subtle but persistent biases that still exist. While it's important to acknowledge and celebrate women's achievements, it's equally crucial to focus on their present roles and contributions. The emphasis on their gender can inadvertently limit the scope of the conversation and reinforce outdated perceptions. As we strive for a truly inclusive society, it's essential to recognize and value women's accomplishments on par with their male counterparts, without reducing them to their gender identity.