User:JECason/Genie Chance

Genie Chance (born Genie Broadfoot; January 24, 1927 – May 17, 1998) was an American journalist, radio broadcaster, and Alaska state politician. She is most well-known for her coverage report of the 1964 Alaska earthquake, which netted her numerous journalism awards.

Early life
Chance was born Genie Broadfoot to Judge and Mrs. A.S. Broadfoot on January 24, 1927, in Texas. She received her B.S. from North Texas State Teachers College (now the University of North Texas) in 1946, and conducted graduate studies at Baylor University. From 1946-1949, she taught speech, radio, English and government at North Texas State Teachers College. In 1959, she moved from Texas to Anchorage, Alaska.

Broadcast career
Following her move to Anchorage in 1959, Chance worked as an editorialist and journalist, first at KENI radio and television and then at KFQD radio, becoming one of the first women in Alaskan broadcast news. She rose to prominence for her national covering of the 1964 Alaska earthquake, during which she remained on the air at the damaged, but still functioning, KENI studio for 59 continuous hours providing rescue information, coordinating response efforts, and helping to reunite families. For her coverage of the earthquake, Chance received numerous awards. Chance served as the 3rd president of the Alaska Press Women's Association.

Political career
Chance was elected to the Alaska House of Representatives in 1968, and to the Alaska Senate in 1974. As a legislator, her primary interests were education and women's issues. Major legislative achievements included the establishment of a statewide university system and a statewide telecommunications system, as well as the 1970 bill which legalized abortion in Alaska prior to national legalization via Roe v. Wade in 1973.

Personal life
Her first husband was Winston Chance, with whom she had two sons and one daughter. She married William K. Boardman, with whom she had served in the Alaska House of Representatives, in 1971 remaining married until his death in 1993. Chance died on May 17, 1998, at age 71, in Juneau.