By Sarah Tietje-Mietz<\/p>\n
Photo by Jennifer Angeloro\/Francesca Photographers<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
It has been pouring for days in Syracuse, but when Iris St. Meran and Jennifer Sanders walk into Mello Velo Cafe at 790 Canal St., their smiles and positive energy seem to clear the clouds away. A genuine warmth radiates from the two and the special connection these women share is immediately evident.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
A palpable and powerful momentum has been created by this friendship. Both women are prominent Syracuse-area news anchors working at competing networks. Sanders is the morning news anchor at NewsChannel 9 WSYR-TV, while St. Meran is an anchor with Spectrum News – Central New York. They recognize that friendships like this can be a rare thing in such a competitive field, and there is not always camaraderie or support, especially from other females. These two are the exception.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
In 2018, the two started a podcast called The Ladies’ Room with the goal of featuring “inspirational ladies who are making an impact. We want to provide inspiration and information in The Ladies’ Room,” according to the podcast homepage.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
“It’s really just sitting down and having this positive and uplifting conversation,” Sanders said.<\/p>\n
“People are so inspired by listening to the guests, listening to their journeys.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
With this podcast, Sanders and St. Meran have created an opportunity to work side-by-side as co-hosts instead of competitors. Together they interview other formidable females from across the globe. They have interviewed such powerhouses as award-winning news anchor Jackie Robinson, supermodel and body-positivity activist Emme and, for an upcoming episode, former editor-in-chief of Essence Magazine Susan Taylor, a personal inspiration to both St. Meran and Sanders.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
“When we sit down with a guest, we are always inspired,” said Sanders. “We always take different nuggets, different gems from what they talk about and we’re able to apply to our own lives. These women\u2026 have been through a lot and they have achieved greatness.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Sanders and St. Meran met during a breaking news report at a local fire. Quickly they found common ground \u2014 both were transplants to the Syracuse area, and they\u2019re some of the only women of color reporting on local news stations.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
“I was excited [to meet Jennifer] because at the time the market was not very diverse,\u201d St. Meran said. \u201cAs far as ethnicity, the only person, really, was Jackie Robinson. So I saw her on TV and was like ‘Oh my goodness. I’m not the only one!’ So I think I went up to [Jennifer] and was like ‘Hey, black girl, do you want to be friends?'”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
“And we were!” Sanders said said with a laugh.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
“It was an immediate thing,\u201d St. Meran said. \u201cAnd she has stuck with me.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Raised by a single mother in a suburb just outside of Boston, St. Meran found her voice through performing with her local church, and always had a passion for writing and public speaking.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
“I wanted to be Oprah. I wanted to have a talk show,” St. Meran said. “I was just naturally curious and asked a lot of questions.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
St. Meran pursued her degree in journalism at Emerson College in Boston, and found guidance and direction when she started working at New England Cable News, now NBC Boston.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Growing up in a military family meant multiple moves to locations around the globe during Sanders\u2019 childhood, but eventually her family settled in Texas, which Sanders calls home. As a child, Sanders first dreamed of being a veterinarian, then had the very specific dream of being the dean of students at Spelman College, one of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) located in Atlanta.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
“But then after that, I knew that I loved to meet people, I loved writing stories, I loved to read,” Sanders said. “So to couple all that together, journalism made sense.” Sanders pursued a degree in mass communications and Spanish from Texas Lutheran University and a master\u2019s degree in journalism from the University of North Texas.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Though their childhoods differed, their career paths and personal goals were aligned. Both worked their way up through the ranks in the media industry, doing everything from writing, filming, and editing before taking their place in front of the camera. Personally, they both know the power and importance of giving back to their communities.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Aside from their individual service to local organizations, Sanders and St. Meran have been jointly volunteering with at the Institute of Technology at Syracuse City School District. Working with teacher Jeffrey Newell and his ninth-grade Media Communications class, St. Meran and Sanders have been mentoring these students as they learn about the field of media journalism.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
“We were there just to provide insight and just to be there for them. We are trying to be the me’s we wish we had,” said St. Meran. “The fact that they can say…’oh, there’s Jennifer Sanders,\u2019 or \u2018there’s Iris St. Meran. She looks like me, and she’s my mentor.'”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
On The Ladies’ Room, they ask each guest the same question: What would you tell your younger self? What advice would these two offer young Jennifer and young Iris?<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
“Go for it. Don’t be scared. Just go for it. And achieve greatness, because it lies within you,” Sanders said.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
“And you have everything you need already,\u201d St. Meran added. \u201cYou. Are. Enough.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
By Sarah Tietje-Mietz Photo by Jennifer Angeloro\/Francesca Photographers It has been pouring for days in Syracuse, but when Iris St. Meran and Jennifer Sanders walk into Mello Velo Cafe at 790 Canal St., their smiles and positive energy seem to clear the clouds away. A genuine warmth radiates from the two and the special…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":2476,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[99],"tags":[899,901,902,900,903],"class_list":["post-2475","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured","tag-iris-st-meran","tag-jennifer-sanders","tag-localsyr","tag-spectrum-news","tag-the-ladies-room"],"gutentor_comment":0,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Iris-and-Jennifer.jpg?fit=4366%2C2911&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":622,"url":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?p=622","url_meta":{"origin":2475,"position":0},"title":"The Sweet Praxis","author":"Staff","date":"March 30, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"The Sweet Taste of Success By Lorna Oppedisano | Photography by Alice G. Patterson The year was 2011, and Natalie Evans and Jennifer Walls \u2014 two transplants to Syracuse \u2014 had been friends for a couple of years. Natalie had moved to the area to study architecture at Syracuse University,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Featured"","block_context":{"text":"Featured","link":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?cat=99"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Z_The-Sweet-Praxis-0007_ONLINE-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C801&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Z_The-Sweet-Praxis-0007_ONLINE-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C801&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Z_The-Sweet-Praxis-0007_ONLINE-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C801&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Z_The-Sweet-Praxis-0007_ONLINE-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C801&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Z_The-Sweet-Praxis-0007_ONLINE-1.jpg?fit=1200%2C801&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2970,"url":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?p=2970","url_meta":{"origin":2475,"position":1},"title":"Farah Jadran: An Attitude of Gratitude","author":"Staff","date":"December 29, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"SWM\u2019s founding editor Farah Jadran reflects on the gift of giving back. By Sarah Tietje-Mietz, Photos by Alice G. Patterson More accustomed to breaking news and asking the questions, finding herself the subject of a story took journalist and anchor Farah Jadran out of her comfort zone. While others might\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Cover Story"","block_context":{"text":"Cover Story","link":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?cat=100"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Farah-and-Niko-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C1020&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Farah-and-Niko-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C1020&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Farah-and-Niko-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C1020&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Farah-and-Niko-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C1020&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Farah-and-Niko-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C1020&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2136,"url":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?p=2136","url_meta":{"origin":2475,"position":2},"title":"Jennifer Shorr","author":"Staff","date":"November 7, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Kindness and Business\u00a0 Photography by Alice G. Patterson\u00a0 No matter what sector you work in, you can be part of philanthropy. In honor of this month\u2019s theme, we asked local business owner Jennifer Shorr, owner of That Insurance Girl, to chat with us about what she does to help Medicare\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Features"","block_context":{"text":"Features","link":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?cat=101"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Jennifer-Shorr-0038.jpg?fit=1200%2C801&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Jennifer-Shorr-0038.jpg?fit=1200%2C801&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Jennifer-Shorr-0038.jpg?fit=1200%2C801&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Jennifer-Shorr-0038.jpg?fit=1200%2C801&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/Jennifer-Shorr-0038.jpg?fit=1200%2C801&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2635,"url":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?p=2635","url_meta":{"origin":2475,"position":3},"title":"WBOC Leading Lady: Jennifer Nadler, Soul of a Survivor","author":"Staff","date":"October 2, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"By Carol Radin \u00a0 Looking back at her 13-year old self, who had endured repeated sexual assaults by a family relative, Jennifer Nadler now reflects, \u201cAt the time, I think I made the decision to put it aside. What I didn\u2019t realize was that I couldn\u2019t moveforward until I could\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Featured"","block_context":{"text":"Featured","link":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?cat=99"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Jennifer-Nadler-0012.jpg?fit=801%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Jennifer-Nadler-0012.jpg?fit=801%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Jennifer-Nadler-0012.jpg?fit=801%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Jennifer-Nadler-0012.jpg?fit=801%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1089,"url":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?p=1089","url_meta":{"origin":2475,"position":4},"title":"The Process of Getting Diagnosed","author":"Staff","date":"September 29, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"This month, Syracuse Woman Magazine caught up with the staff at St. Joseph\u2019s Breast Care Program. They taught us about their roles in the program, and helped demystify the process. Answers have been edited for length and clarity. Mary Kapfer Nurse navigator in women's imaging SWM: Explain your role in\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Health"","block_context":{"text":"Health","link":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?cat=126"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":3810,"url":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?p=3810","url_meta":{"origin":2475,"position":5},"title":"Inspire: Iris Buczkowski – Helping people with their philanthropic goals\u00a0","author":"syracusewomanmag_c4lfdt","date":"December 1, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"By Norah Machia\u00a0 A recent study published in Discovery Magazine noted that \u201cgiving to charity makes us happier; especially when we freely choose to give. Whether we have a little or a lot of money, how we choose to spend it matters most to our happiness.\u201d\u00a0 Iris Buczkowski, owner of\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Special Feature"","block_context":{"text":"Special Feature","link":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?cat=4"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/iris-pic-1.jpeg?fit=1136%2C1015&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/iris-pic-1.jpeg?fit=1136%2C1015&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/iris-pic-1.jpeg?fit=1136%2C1015&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/iris-pic-1.jpeg?fit=1136%2C1015&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/iris-pic-1.jpeg?fit=1136%2C1015&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2475","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2475"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2475\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2477,"href":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2475\/revisions\/2477"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2476"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2475"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2475"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2475"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}