© 2024 South Carolina Public Radio
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Women Vision SC: Betty Jo Rhea

Betty Jo Rhea
SCETV
Betty Jo Rhea

Betty Jo Rhea served as Mayor of Rock Hill for 12 years and as a member of the City Council for 8 years. She was referred to as “the people’s mayor.” When she took over as mayor, unemployment stood at over 17% and textile mills had declined from 13 to only one. Under her leadership, the community started business parks and attracted several international companies to Rock Hill. She fostered a sports complex that has since paved the way for a city now known for being an amateur sports mecca. From baseball and softball, the city has added facilities including soccer, tennis, and cycling. After retiring as mayor, Betty Jo Rhea has hosted a local television show called “City Minutes” for nearly 20 years, interviewing a variety of individuals in the Rock Hill community. She remains a steadfast champion of the arts, historic preservation and beautification.

Linda O’Bryon is a nationally recognized journalist and broadcaster; she is the founding executive editor of Nightly Business Report, a program she co-anchored daily for more than a decade, and a series that was a mainstay on public television for more than 40 years. She started her career as a news reporter, and she has worked at all levels of broadcasting for 45 years, with 40 of those years in public media. O'Bryon is also former president and CEO of South Carolina ETV and SC Public Radio.