June Bacon-Bercey, America's First Black Female TV Meteorologist

Trailblazer's legacy paved the way for future generations of women in broadcast meteorology

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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In 1971, June Bacon-Bercey became the first Black woman and the first woman overall to serve as a television meteorologist, defying systemic racial and gender discrimination. Driven by a childhood curiosity about atmospheric impacts, Bacon-Bercey pursued rigorous math and meteorology degrees despite being repeatedly told to quit the field. Beyond her on-air career, Bacon-Bercey established scholarships for women in meteorology, paving the way for future generations.

Why it matters

Bacon-Bercey's pioneering role as the first Black female TV meteorologist broke down barriers and made futures possible for others, inspiring young girls to see themselves reflected in weather forecasts. Her life story is a testament to the power of resilience, determination, and paying it forward.

The details

Born in 1928 in Wichita, Bacon-Bercey's fascination with weather began after she saw images of the atomic bomb and questioned its impact on the atmosphere. She studied mathematics at Friends University before transferring to the University of California, Los Angeles, one of the few schools offering meteorology at the time. Along the way, she faced discrimination for being Black and for being a female, and was even encouraged to leave meteorology behind. Instead, Bacon-Bercey pressed forward, studying journalism at night and mailing audition tapes to television stations across the country. In 1971, WGR-TV in Buffalo gave her a chance, and her first on-air forecast was met with overwhelming viewer support, making her the nation's first Black female television meteorologist and the first woman meteorologist on TV.

  • In 1971, Bacon-Bercey became the first Black woman and the first woman overall to serve as a television meteorologist.

The players

June Bacon-Bercey

The first Black woman and the first woman overall to serve as a television meteorologist, defying systemic racial and gender discrimination.

Holly Baker

A FOX6 Meteorologist who stands on the shoulders of June Bacon-Bercey by becoming the first Black meteorologist at FOX6.

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What they’re saying

“Bacon-Bercey didn't just forecast storms, she weathered them. In doing so, she changed history, proving that sometimes the most powerful force in the atmosphere is determination.”

— Holly Baker, FOX6 Meteorologist (fox6now.com)

The takeaway

June Bacon-Bercey's pioneering career as the first Black female TV meteorologist paved the way for future generations of women in broadcast meteorology, inspiring young girls to pursue their passions and break down barriers, even in the face of systemic discrimination.