Donna Halper

Donna Lee Halper, born February 14, 1947, in Dorchester, Massachusetts, is a Boston-based historian and radio consultant. She began her radio career at Northeastern University's WNEU station in 1968 as its first female announcer. Known for discovering the progressive rock band Rush while working at WMMS in Cleveland in 1974, Halper played their song "Working Man," leading to the band's U.S. recording contract and recognition in their albums.

Halper has a career spanning over a decade as a radio broadcaster and consultant across cities including Cleveland, New York City, Washington, D.C., and Boston. She transitioned to teaching media history, criticism, and broadcasting at institutions like Emerson College, Lesley University, and the University of Massachusetts, earning her Ph.D. in 2011.

An author of several books, including "Invisible Stars: A Social History of Women in American Broadcasting," Halper has contributed to academic works on media history and women's contributions in broadcasting. She is also recognized for her research on baseball radio history and Negro leagues.

Halper has appeared on C-SPAN, NPR, PBS, and local TV as a guest expert, discussing media history and forgotten pioneers. In 2023, she was inducted into the Massachusetts Broadcasters Hall of Fame, receiving the Pioneer Broadcaster Award for her significant contributions to broadcasting and media history.