There wasn't a lot of hullabaloo about long-time Good Morning America host Diane Sawyer finally ascending to ABC's prime news anchor slot.  Remember all the fuss and excitement and pre-Katie hype when CBS News made the BIG LEAP a couple of years back when they named Katie Couric the 1st woman to anchor network nightly news?   Couric paid a high price for being "first" to the network anchor desk and rumors of her imminent firing have rumbled around media circles for a few years. 

The good news is that the "second trailblazer" rarely gets the attention or creates the discomfort with change that the "1st trailblazer" -- in ANYTHING -- does.  But make no mistake:  when it comes to cultural change, trailblazers, firsts and pioneers are only exceptions to the rule unless others follow their lead.

Diane Sawyer is no follower.  But her ascent -- low key as it's recent kick-off was -- to "Top Dog" position at ABC News is huge.  Not just for Diane Sawyer, but for our culture's steady progress toward seeing women in leadership positions.  Here's more on the Sawyer story from the New York Times.

How often does a media juggernaut look to a Michigander for advice? It happened this morning. Diane Tucker, a Washington,D.C.-based columnist for The Huffington Post, profiled me today on women and political power. One of the questions she asked was, "What are the first three things a woman should do who is thinking about running?"  

Here they are:  1) Start telling people you're thinking of running.  You'll be amazed at the encouragement and support you'll get.  2) Figure out why you're running;  best way to do that is to start developing your campaign website.  3) Start raising money -- and begin with people who believe in you and you've supported and helped.   Bottom line:   It's all about numbers now -- we need many, many more women to RUN!   Here's the Huffington Post piece, What's an Underemployed Gal to Do?  Run for Office."  

The Tiger Woods story is too big, too much on everyon's tongue to ignore.  I spent five years covering professional athletes, during my years as a TV sports reporter/anchor for CBS in Detroit.  That's why I wasn't the least big surprised when all the details behind Tiger's perfectly crafted image started coming out.   I hate to see a role model as accomplished and squeaky clean as Tiger Woods fall as hard and fast as he has in the past few days.  But it's his own doing -- not the fault of "tabloid journalism," as he and his image consultants would like us to believe.  A lot has been written since that 911 call to Florida police.  The best commentary I've read is by highly-respected and experienced USA Today sports columnist Christine Brennan.  She's been covering superstar athletes for several decades and knows of what she speaks.   Click here for Brennan's thoughts on Tiger's torment.