Mayor Wu Announces Roxbury Branch of Boston Public Library to be Renamed After Sarah-Ann Shaw

Mayor Michelle Wu announced the renaming of the Roxbury Branch of the Boston Public Library in honor of Sarah-Ann Shaw, Boston's first Black woman TV reporter. The Board of Trustees of the Boston Public Library voted unanimously to recognize Shaw for her substantial contributions to the Roxbury community and the representation of Black female journalists. Shaw worked at WBZ-TV from 1969 until her retirement in 2000 and was a lifelong resident of Roxbury, passing away in 2024 at age 90. Mayor Wu highlighted Shaw's legacy of mentoring future journalists and her dedication to community empowerment. Klare Shaw, Sarah-Ann's daughter, expressed appreciation for the honor, recalling her mother's commitment to education and culture in Roxbury.

Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley also praised Shaw's impact on Boston's Black and brown communities. The renaming process, overseen by the City’s Public Facilities Commission, signifies the city's acknowledgment of Shaw's exemplary civic service. The newly renamed Shaw-Roxbury Branch Library at Nubian Square aims to continue her legacy of community engagement and storytelling.