Mary Nguyen

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Mary Nguyen
Nguyen in 2013
Born (1976-04-06) April 6, 1976 (age 48)
Los Angeles, California U.S.
EducationUniversity of California, Los Angeles (BA)
Florida State University College of Law (JD)
OccupationBroadcast Journalist/Attorney
Years active1999–present

Mary H. Nguyen-Nodelman (born April 6, 1976) is an American journalist and attorney.[1][2][3] The investigative journalist and Emmy nominated reporter has worked at various ABC, NBC and Fox Television stations across the country.[4] Nguyen is also known as the first Asian-American Miss Teenage America, owned by 'TEEN Magazine[5]

Early life and education[edit]

In 1993, Nguyen won Miss Teenage America. Petersen Publishing Company owned 'TEEN Magazine and as part Miss Teenage America's responsibilities, Nguyen was given a monthly column.[6] The column was typically dedicated to stories about make-up, fashion, and beauty. However, "TEEN Magazine editors decided to change the column's structure and added an advice column component. There readers wrote to the magazine seeking advice and Nguyen addressed their teen concerns. In addition, Nguyen was a public speaker and travelled throughout the country speaking to teens and advocated against peer pressure, as well as drug and alcohol abuse. Subsequently, Nguyen was later published in the Los Angeles Times as a guest writer.

The state of California extended public recognition and commendation for Mary Nguyen's service by enacting Resolution 673. Ross Johnson, Chairman of California Fair Political Practices Commission and California State Senator Betty Karnette sponsored the resolution. It is a distinguished award thanking Nguyen's efforts on the country's "War on Drugs" initiative and peer pressure issues.

In 1999, she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Studies from the University of California, Los Angeles [7] While at UCLA, Nguyen served as the President of UCLA's Society of Professional Journalists chapter. A Mark of Excellence Journalism award was given to Nguyen for her work in the journalism field while at UCLA.

Nguyen was an intern at the O.J. Simpson Trial and published an article in 'TEEN Magazine about her experience. Later she became a fellow at Center for American Politics and Public Policy Program and interned at 'Nightline in Washington DC.[8][9] Nguyen later earned her Juris Doctor from Florida State University College of Law in Tallahassee, Florida.

Career[edit]

Mary Nguyen started her career in 1999 in Waterloo, Iowa at KWWL-TV, the NBC affiliate. She later moved to Wichita, Kansas and worked at KAKE-TV, the ABC affiliate. Then in 2001, Nguyen began reporting in Little Rock, Arkansas at KATV-TV, the ABC affiliate.[10] There, Nguyen covered politics and government including the extensive fundraising efforts led by the Clinton Foundation to build the 165 million dollar Clinton Presidential Center.[11] In 2003, Nguyen started working as a reporter at WFTV, the ABC-affiliate television station in Orlando, Florida.[12][13][14] Nguyen started to focus her efforts on reporting on the legal system, politics and government. Her reports showed the public that justice is served, criminals are punished and people are held accountable in the criminal and civil justice system.[15]

However, in an era of classified document leaks, government data dumps, and increasingly antagonistic relationships between law enforcement and the media, Nguyen sought to expose unfairness in the system, either for victims or defendants, help prevent injustices by shining a spotlight on the actions of judges, lawyers and other participants in the justice system.[16]

In 2009, she was nominated for an Emmy in the politics/government category for her investigation into the Orange County Jail Chief who was accused of misusing tax -payer funds. Mary broke international stories, which have fueled a public debate between two religions.[17][18] In 2009, a Sri Lankan girl named Rifqa Bary, ran away from her home in Ohio to Florida. She claimed her Muslim parents were going to kill her for becoming a Christian.[19]

Mary created change when she exposed how deputies at the Orange County Sheriff's Office were violating people's civil rights by their excessive use of force.[20] Deputies were accused of tasing elementary school children, women who were pregnant, and suspects while they were restrained in handcuffs. Her reports led to an FBI investigation. The damaging FBI report led to the Department of Justice stepping in and placed the agency on probation.[21] The DOJ oversaw the Orange County Sheriff's Office for three years while the Sheriff retrained his deputies and changed his use of force policies.

Nguyen was known for her investigative reports about legal issues and the criminal justice system.[22] She shed light to viewers when she broke the story about an Orange County county commissioner who was indicted for taking illegal campaign contributions and then later tried to go on welfare. During the nine years she was in Orlando, she continued to report on the complexities of the justice system while covering controversial cases such as the Casey Anthony case,[23][24] Trayvon Martin case and covered the Tiger Woods case. In 2012, Nguyen left WFTV.[25]

The journalist continued working on the Trayvon Martin case when she started working for NBC News.[26] Trayvon Martin is a 17-year-old African American teenager who was fatally shot by George Zimmerman in Sanford, Florida. The neighborhood watch volunteer called Sanford police to report Martin, who he said appeared "suspicious."[27] Moments later, there was an altercation between the two individuals in which Zimmerman shot Martin, killing him.[28][29] A national debate about racial profiling and stand your ground laws ensued, and the governor of Florida appointed a task force to examine the state's laws.[30][31][32]

In 2013, she started working as an investigative and general assignment reporter at KPNX-TV, the NBC affiliate in Phoenix, Arizona.[33] She was also a contributing writer for USA Today and The Arizona Republic.[34] During her time in Arizona, she covered numerous stories including the highly publicized trial of Jodi Arias, and the Yanira Maldonaldo case where an Arizona mother was detained after Mexican officials accused her of smuggling marijuana into the country.[35] Maldonado's case sparked widespread media coverage and attention from U.S. lawmakers as family members pushed for her freedom[36] "Yanira Maldonado freed from Mexican jail - BBC News". BBC News. 31 May 2013. Retrieved 2016-04-03.

Nguyen later left KPNX-TV, the NBC affiliate and started law school. She became a law clerk for Honorable Sherry K. Stephens, the judge who presided over the Jodi Arias case in Phoenix, Arizona.

Nguyen received her Juris Doctor from Florida State University College of Law. She is a criminal defense attorney, worked as an assistant public defender in the Fifth and Thirteenth Judicial Circuit; and now works at the Office of the Public Defender in Clearwater for the Sixth Judicial Circuit of Florida.[37] She continues her work in media, law and social policy.[38] The Florida Bar President-Elect appointed Nguyen to the Florida Bar Committee Leadership.[39] Nguyen is serving as Chairwoman, for The Florida Bar Media and Communications Law Committee.[40]Nguyen is the first Asian-American woman in Florida to be appointed as vice chair and Chair for The Florida Bar Media and Communications Law Committee.


Miss Teenage America[edit]

Nguyen is also known for being the first Asian-American to win 'TEEN Magazine's Miss Teenage America in 1993.[5] The pageant was owned by Teen Magazine. Her mother, Mai Pham, thought it brought honor to the Vietnamese community and reminded them that "their assimilation into U.S. culture" was fairly complete.[5]


Honors and awards[edit]

  • Miss Teenage America (1993) [41]
  • Eli Segal Education Award, Equal Justice Works AmeriCorps JD Program,[42] Corporation for National & Community Service (2015)
  • Associated Press Award- Kathryn Dettman Award
  • Associated Press Award- Clete Roberts Memorial Award
  • Mark of Excellence Award in Journalism (The Society of Professional Journalists Los Angeles Chapter)
  • California Legislative Enacted Resolution No. 673 (commendation and recognition)
  • State of Michigan Legislative Tribute, Michigan State Senator James Barryman & State Representative Lynn Owen commendation for public policy and advocacy efforts on behalf of MADD in the state of Michigan.[43]
  • Emmy Nomination- WFTV Team Coverage- Caylee Anthony Found (2009)[44]
  • Emmy Nomination- Category: Politics/ Government- Investigative Report (2009)[45]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Cheerleaders accused in online 'hit list'". NBCNews.com. Retrieved 2016-03-25.
  2. ^ "FDLE: Kissimmee K9 officer left in hot patrol car". Fox35orlando.com. Retrieved 2016-04-20.
  3. ^ "Attorney: Office of the Public Defender Fifth Judicial Circuit of Florida". floridabar.org. Retrieved 2018-03-03.
  4. ^ "Roads reopened after train derailment in Rockledge". fox13news.com. Retrieved 2016-03-25. [permanent dead link]
  5. ^ a b c "Archives". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
  6. ^ Rayner, Polly (1993-08-29). "Rough And Tumble Hip-hop Style Goes To School This Fall". The Morning Call. Retrieved 2016-04-20.
  7. ^ Beall, Monique (2018-05-06). "Excellence in Action Mary Nguyen". UCLA ALUMNI. Retrieved 2020-09-05.
  8. ^ "Center for American Politics and Public Policy (CAPPP) - Social Sciences Grant Support". Social Sciences Grant Support. Retrieved 2016-03-27.
  9. ^ "Home - Center for American Politics and Public Policy". Center for American Politics and Public Policy. Retrieved 2016-03-27.
  10. ^ Halcombe, Carl (2003-06-23). "Best in Show? (Outtakes Opinion)". Arkansas Business. Retrieved 2016-03-25.
  11. ^ Kamin, Blair (2004-11-04). "A New Chapter". Daily Press. Retrieved 2016-03-26.
  12. ^ "WFTV News Investigates Orlando Police". You Tube. Retrieved 2020-09-06.
  13. ^ "Celebrity Address on StarTiger". Star Tiger. Retrieved 2016-03-24.
  14. ^ Manes, Billy. "BLISTER". Orlando Weekly. Retrieved 2016-03-24.
  15. ^ Pacheko, Walter (2008-05-30). "Orange County, Fla., Jail Officials Investigated 'Fight Club' Among Inmates". Orlando Sentinel. ISSN 0744-6055. Retrieved 2016-03-27.
  16. ^ Malibu Chris (2012-08-14). "Orange County Corrections Fight Club Investigation". YouTube. Retrieved 2016-03-27.
  17. ^ Green, Amy (2009-10-17). "Teen Feared Death After Change From Islam to Christianity". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2016-03-27. [dead link]
  18. ^ "Florida News Center » Blog Archive » WFTV blasts WOFL & WESH over exclusive…". flnewscenter.com. Retrieved 2016-03-26.
  19. ^ "Christian Teen Fears Muslim Father Will Kill Her". ABC News. 2009-08-13. Retrieved 2016-03-26.
  20. ^ "Fla. Deputy Shoots Man After Taser Malfunctions". PoliceOne. Retrieved 2016-03-26.
  21. ^ "Justice Department Announces the Successful Resolution of Its Agreement with the Orange County, Fla., Sheriff's Office | OPA | Department of Justice". Justice.gov. 2 April 2013. Retrieved 2016-03-24.
  22. ^ W.F. Casey Ebsary Jr. (2012-02-15). "Police Dog Attack Lawsuit Florida Channel 9 HD". YouTube. Retrieved 2016-03-24.
  23. ^ "Exclusive: Dr. Phil on His Blockbuster Interview with Casey Anthony's Parents". TV Guide Magazine. 2011-09-07. ISSN 0039-8543. Retrieved 2016-03-24.
  24. ^ Richard Hornsby (2009-01-31). "High-Profile Orlando Attorney Contacted In Casey Anthony Case". YouTube. Retrieved 2016-03-24.
  25. ^ "WFTV, reporter Drew Petrimoulx part company". Tribunedigital-orlandosentinel. Retrieved 2016-03-24.
  26. ^ Park, Haeyoun; McLEAN, ALAN; Roberts, Graham; Tse, Archie. "Events Leading to the Shooting of Trayvon Martin". The New York Times. Retrieved 2016-03-26.
  27. ^ "911 calls released in deadly Florida shooting". NBCNews.com. Retrieved 2016-03-26.
  28. ^ "Zimmerman Arraignment Set For May". NBC 6 South Florida. 12 April 2012. Retrieved 2016-03-26.
  29. ^ Alvarez, Lizette; Williams, Timothy (2012-06-21). "Documents Tell Zimmerman's Side in Martin Case". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2016-03-26.
  30. ^ "George Zimmerman stand your ground hearing: Witness in Zimmerman case caught in lie". tribunedigital-orlandosentinel. Retrieved 2016-03-26.
  31. ^ "Task force to consider 'stand your ground' after Trayvon Martin death - CNN.com". CNN. 2012-04-21. Archived from the original on April 21, 2012. Retrieved 2016-03-26.
  32. ^ "TwitterZona: Heated emotions in wake of Zimmerman verdict; weather tweets storm Twitter feeds - Rose Law Group Reporter". Rose Law Group Reporter. 16 July 2013. Retrieved 2016-03-24.
  33. ^ "2500 Phoenix police officers file a class action lawsuit: The union wants the city to pay for the officers uniforms". azcentral.com. Retrieved 2016-03-25.
  34. ^ "Phoenix office shooting claiming second victim". USA Today. 2013-01-31. ISSN 0734-7456. Retrieved 2016-03-27.
  35. ^ "Arias trial: Dismissed juror speaks out". NBC News. Retrieved 2016-03-25.
  36. ^ "Arizona mom freed from Mexican jail 'screamed' for joy". CNN News. 31 May 2013. Retrieved 2016-04-03.
  37. ^ "Attorney: Office of the Public Defender Sixth Judicial Circuit of Florida". floridabar.org.
  38. ^ "Federal Sunshine Laws: The Freedom of Information Act". floridabar.org.
  39. ^ "185-appointed-to-bar-committee-leadership-positions". Retrieved 2022-05-27.
  40. ^ "185-appointed-to-bar-committee-leadership-positions". floridabar.org. Retrieved 2022-05-27.
  41. ^ LE, PHUONG (1993-02-21). "Teen Pageant Winner Is as Asian-American as Apple Pie : Heritage: Mary Nguyen, the new Miss Teenage America, is the daughter of Vietnamese refugees. This 'girl next door' is a straight-A student and a cheerleader". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved 2016-03-27.
  42. ^ "Turn Your Passion for Equal Justice into Action During Law School".
  43. ^ "Toledo Blade - Google News Archive Search". news.google.com. Retrieved 2016-03-25.
  44. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2016-04-07. Retrieved 2016-03-24.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  45. ^ Boedeker, Hal (2009-10-20). "Caylee Anthony Coverage Brings Emmy Nominations to WESH, WFTV". Orlando Sentinel. ISSN 0744-6055. Archived from the original on 2016-03-31. Retrieved 2016-03-27.
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