Margaret Elizabeth Pfohl Campbell was born on this day in 1902, in Winston-Salem, to James Kenneth and Bessie Whittington Pfohl.
Elizabeth graduated from Salem Academy and Salem College. She earned her Master’s Degree in English from Columbia University and taught high school at Salem Academy. She worked as an administrator at Moravian College and Mary Baldwin College.
Elizabeth married Edmund Campbell in 1936 and moved to Arlington, Virginia. In Arlington, Elizabeth was elected to served on the school board.
In 1956, Elizabeth joined the Greater Washington Educational Television Association (GWETA) as vice chairman, and became president a few years later. She raised funds for a local educational television station in Washington, D. C., and in 1961 WETA went on the air. It was the first public television station in Washington, D. C. The station grew over the years, and it expanded into the radio market in 1970.
Elizabeth retired from GWETA and WETA-TV as president in 1971, but retained the position of Vice President of Community Affairs until her death in 2004.
Elizabeth was honored with an Emmy Award in 1987. She received awards from broadcasting organizations and she received honorary degrees from several universities.
A grade school is named in her honor in Arlington, and a street bears her name, Campbell Avenue. Also, a historical marker is dedicated to her in Arlington.
