Shout out to steno! NCRA President Cindy Isaacsen, RPR; NCRA Director Kelly Linkowski, RPR, CRR, CRC, CRI, CPE; and NCRA members Yolanda Walton, FAPR, RPR; and Sandy Narup, RPR, donned specially made sweatshirts promoting steno and made their way to the front row of the NBC TODAY Show outside audience on Nov. 14 to give the profession a national shoutout. Also joining them was Diana Hunt, a personal friend of Isaacen’s from West Virginia.
The group was in New York to attend the 15th anniversary of the Gallery of Shorthand housed in the Alfonse M. D’Amato Federal Courthouse in Central Islip. Unfortunately, due to the recent U.S. government shutdown, the event was cancelled so the group instead opted for making the most of a trip to the city, which included seeing the Rockettes, a show, and a stop at the TODAY Show.
“I said, ‘Gang, what do you all think about going to the TODAY Show on Friday and trying to get on TV?’” Isaacsen said. “They were excited until I told them what time we needed to be there: 5:15 a.m. LOL.”
Isaacsen said she contacted her local news anchor, whom she has a connection with, and asked for advice on how to be sure the group could get noticed in the audience. “I told him we would have sweatshirts, and he said that was a great idea to help get us noticed by the producers and he advised us to have a sign and to get there early.”
Unfortunately, the sign the group created, which read Best Career/DiscoverSteno.org./NCRA.org, was confiscated because the show does not allow anything that includes a website address. The bright blue sweatshirts did make it on air, however, and featured a keyboard with the message “TODAY and Always” in steno, as well as the TODAY Show logo surrounded by an apple as a shoutout to the city’s iconic nickname The Big Apple.
The experience was the result of “being active in NCRA relationships with my steno sisters, brief brothers, and captioning cousins,” Linkowski said. “Our trip took a pivot, but any opportunity to share steno with others is one we will take every day!”
Narup said that the trip to New York with amazing friends she has met through the profession was absolutely wonderful. “Being able to promote our fantastic career and be on the TODAY Show … priceless. Thank you, Madam President, for coordinating it and nudging the early wake-up time. ALWAYS fun times!” she added.
“From our exciting appearance on the TODAY Show to meeting Matt Tursi, President of the Gallery of Shorthand and son of the legendary Dom Tursi, it was a whirlwind,” added Walton. “Every plan had its unexpected twist, but we made it through with laughter, connection, and a shared love for our steno community. Celebrating and promoting our profession in NYC was a reminder of the strength and passion that drives us all, no matter what challenges come our way! All thanks to steno!”
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