BYU will kick off its 2012 annual Women's Conference Thursday with an array of impressive speakers, beginning with local news anchor Ruth Todd.
Todd will open the conference with her address, 'Armed with Righteousness and with the Power of God in Great Glory' at 9 a.m. in the Marriott Center.
Todd, a Phoenix, Ariz. native, is an ideal example of a BYU student who has 'made it.'
After a few successful years as a broadcast journalism student at BYU in the Department of Communications, Todd graduated in 1983 and became a reporter and news-brief anchor at KUTV News in Salt Lake City.
Todd's experience in journalism has carried her across the United States, beginning with BYU's broadcast journalism program, then to Phoenix, Ariz., as an anchor and reporter for ABC and even out to Washington, D.C., as a reporter and news anchor for both ABC and CBS news stations.
In 1992, Todd's talent brought her to KSL Television where she became an anchorwoman for Eyewitness News Saturday Morning, and then for Eyewitness News at Noon with Steve Eagar. Utah's news audiences became big fans of Todd, and her popularity soon propelled her to a spot opposite Dick Nourse for the top-rated Eyewitness News at 10 p.m.
While sporting her well-known position at KSL-TV, Todd participated in numerous community events and national charity campaigns, including the United Way, Lung Association, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, Primary Children's Medical Center and the American Red Cross. A frequent speaker at church and civic events, and a spokeswoman for KSL's 'Family Now' program, Todd even made an appearance as a celebrity volunteer at the White House's annual Easter Egg Roll.
Todd left KSL in 2001 after a disagreement over a new contract, and on Dec. 13, Todd joined KTVX Channel 4.
At KTVX, Todd first co-anchored with Randall Carlisle for ABC 4 News at 10, and became lead female anchor in 2002.
In 2004, Todd's anchor position was moved to pair with Terry Wood. Todd, Carlisle and Terry competed for the top most-watched late night news show — Todd on channel 5, Carlisle on channel 4 and Wood on channel 2.
While at KTVX, Todd continued her charitable works, volunteering with the March of Dimes, The Easter Seals and the Muscular Dystrophy Association all while participating with the Visual Arts Institute in Salt Lake City as a board member.
After 15 years as one of Utah's most-watched news anchors, and 24 years in the broadcast journalism world, Todd parted ways with KTVX in February of 2007.
'I've had 24 great years, and have worked with some of the best in the business,' Todd said in a Deseret News article. 'I've been thinking for some time about stepping away from late-night news. You never rule anything out, but I'm really looking forward to spending some time with my family.'
Since her days as a popular news anchor, Todd has spent time as senior manager for LDS Public Affairs, a Tabernacle Choir host and a stake Young Women president.