Alma Kitchell

Alma Kitchell (1892-1946) was an American concert singer, radio personality, and pioneering figure in early television. She is best known for hosting and producing programs focused on women's interests and issues, making her a significant voice in the development of media aimed at female audiences.

Kitchell began her career as a concert singer, touring extensively before transitioning to radio. In the 1930s and 1940s, she hosted several popular radio shows, including "The Chat with Alma Kitchell" and "Brief Case." These programs typically featured interviews with prominent women in various fields, covering topics such as homemaking, fashion, education, and current events.

Kitchell's work in early television was particularly notable. She hosted and produced "In the Kelvinator Kitchen," a cooking show that is considered one of the earliest examples of sponsored programming in television history. This show, which began in 1946, showcased recipes and cooking techniques using Kelvinator appliances. Although her television career was cut short by her death later that same year, her pioneering work helped establish the format for future cooking shows and daytime television programming targeting women.

Alma Kitchell's contributions to both radio and early television helped to shape the landscape of media for women, and she is remembered as an influential figure in the history of broadcasting.