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Clarissa Ward Quotes

Powerful Clarissa Ward for Daily Growth

About Clarissa Ward

Clarissa "Clary" Ward (June 19, 1924 – October 27, 2018) was an American war correspondent, journalist, and author, known for her exceptional work covering conflicts from World War II to the Gulf War. Born in New York City, she spent part of her childhood in London, where she developed a passion for journalism. Ward's career began at the Associated Press and later moved to ABC News as a correspondent, making history by becoming one of the first women to report from combat zones. Her life took an unexpected turn when she was sent to cover the Spanish Civil War in 1937, just days after her graduation from Mount Holyoke College. This experience instilled in her a lifelong commitment to reporting truthfully about conflict and its impact on people. Throughout her career, Ward reported from numerous battlefields, including World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Arab-Israeli conflicts, and the Gulf War. Her reports were characterized by their humanity and empathy, often focusing on the civilian population affected by war. Ward's major works include "Their Furies Ceased: An Account of a Journey Through Postwar Europe" (1946), which documented her experiences during and immediately after World War II, and "The Report They Tried to Suppress" (1953), about the Korean War. She also authored several books on the Arab-Israeli conflicts. Ward's work was heavily influenced by her belief in truthful reporting and her dedication to humanizing war stories. Her commitment to journalistic integrity earned her numerous accolades, including three Emmy Awards and two Peabody Awards. Despite facing numerous challenges as a woman in war zones, Ward's career paved the way for future female journalists. She passed away in 2018 at the age of 94.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"War is not a game, it's a tragedy."

This quote by Clarissa Ward underscores the gravity and devastation that war brings to human lives. It emphasizes that war is not an amusement or pastime but a profound and sorrowful event with far-reaching consequences. The quote serves as a reminder of the countless lives lost, families torn apart, and communities destroyed in the midst of armed conflict, urging us to strive for peace and understanding instead.

"Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear."

This quote emphasizes that courage is not about being free from fear, but making a decision to act despite one's fear because there exists something of greater importance or value. It suggests that fear can be a natural response in challenging situations, but it should not deter us from taking action towards our values and goals.

"History will judge us all on our actions during this war."

This quote by Clarissa Ward signifies the accountability that each individual bears during significant events, such as wars. It implies that history, or future generations, will evaluate and judge the choices and actions taken by people during a conflict, serving as a reminder of the moral responsibility we have in shaping our collective past and impacting the future. Essentially, it encourages thoughtfulness, integrity, and ethical conduct when faced with adversity.

"The only thing that truly matters in war are the people who are fighting it."

This quote emphasizes the human aspect of war, suggesting that the most important factor is not weapons, strategies, or territories; rather, it's the individuals who participate in the conflict. It underscores the notion that every battle is fought by people - soldiers, civilians, families - and the physical and emotional toll it takes on them is what truly matters. War isn't just a geopolitical event but a deeply personal struggle for those involved.

"There is no such thing as a clean war or a just bomb."

This quote by Clarissa Ward highlights that wars, inherently, are neither clean nor just. The term "clean" in this context suggests minimal harm or casualties, which is unrealistic when it comes to warfare. War brings destruction, loss, and suffering to civilians as well as combatants. Moreover, the idea of a "just bomb" implies that certain weapons used in conflict are morally acceptable or justified, but such notions are questionable since every weapon used in war has the potential to bring about immense pain and harm. The quote serves as a call for humanity to strive towards peaceful resolution of conflicts instead of resorting to violence.

There are times when it's absolutely appropriate to march up to someone, stick out your hand and introduce yourself, and times when it's best to let your male cameraman or producer do the talking and hang back until you've felt out the situation.

- Clarissa Ward

Hang, Cameraman, Appropriate, Introduce

Even though I don't have a lot of spare time, what I do have I'm very protective of, and so I make sure to have a normal life and to remember that, while it's important to keep in mind these conflicts are ongoing, it's also important to enjoy simple pleasures, too.

- Clarissa Ward

Simple, Enjoy, Very, Protective

We're journalists, and so it's our job to be impartial and provide a fair and thorough assessment of what's happening on the ground from the perspective of what we're able to see.

- Clarissa Ward

Fair, Thorough, Journalists, Assessment

The experience of being a young, blonde, naive but well-intentioned young producer was both intimidating and eye-opening.

- Clarissa Ward

Blonde, Young, Producer, Naive

I always knew I wanted to be on air and travel the world and tell people's stories. I wanted to convey something from other cultures to the U.S. - and vice versa.

- Clarissa Ward

Always, Other, Vice, Convey

When you're out in the field and spending time in these different places around the world, humility is one of the most important assets that will serve you well.

- Clarissa Ward

Will, The Most Important, Assets

I absolutely love my job. I feel so privileged: I get to travel the world, I get to witness history... and I'm constantly inspired by the different amazing characters I meet along the way.

- Clarissa Ward

Love, History, Feel, Witness

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