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Barbara Walters, 29 iconic women journalists plan reunion at Connie Chung's house

Let’s do lunch! Say, in exactly a year? The 29 women journalists who gathered to honor Barbara Walters as she prepared to formally retire Friday made plans to meet up — same day, same time, in 2015 — for a reunion luncheon, TODAY's Tamron Hall said. “We planned it one year to the day,” Tamron said Friday. “All the ladies put out their personal email, so that’s when you know it’s r
Barbara Walters farewell
TODAY

Let’s do lunch! Say, in exactly a year?

The 29 women journalists who gathered to honor Barbara Walters as she prepared to formally retire Friday made plans to meet up — same day, same time, in 2015 — for a reunion luncheon, TODAY's Tamron Hall said. 

“We planned it one year to the day,” Tamron said Friday. “All the ladies put out their personal email, so that’s when you know it’s real — you don’t give the work email!”

I'm+beyond+proud+to+be+in+this+company+of+wonderful+women,+most+especially+@barbarajwalters+pic.twitter.com/VJvL7L3yC9

—+Savannah+Guthrie+(@SavannahGuthrie)+May+15,+2014+

The location for the lunch was taken care of by another broadcasting legend who offered up her home. 

“All the ladies gave their real cell phone numbers and a year from today — yesterday —we’re all going to meet for lunch, at Connie Chung’s house,” Tamron said.

Such+fun.+@BarbaraJWalters+tribute+@theviewtv+#backstage+pic.twitter.com/33Gjqm2NHZ

—+Hoda+Kotb+(@hodakotb)+May+15,+2014+

In addition to Tamron, those “ladies” who met Thursday included fellow TODAY anchors Savannah Guthrie and Natalie Morales, as well as Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb. NBC’s Maria Shriver and Meredith Vieira also were there, along with Oprah Winfrey, Robin Roberts, Katie Couric, Jane Pauley and Joan Lunden.

Hey+ladiezzzz+-+this+is+getting+prime+real+estate+in+my+newslady+photo+album+@robinroberts+@gayleking+#epic+pic.twitter.com/DSuruFGFFl

—+Savannah+Guthrie+(@SavannahGuthrie)+May+16,+2014+

I+see+you+@JanePauleyTODAY+@LaraSpencer+@RobinRoberts+@KathieLGifford+@DeborahNorville+pic.twitter.com/aYukqzg97Z

—+Hoda+Kotb+(@hodakotb)+May+15,+2014+

Walters was credited for helping numerous journalists, particularly women, get an early boost in their careers. Al Roker recalled the hand Walters played in helping his wife, ABC News correspondent Deborah Roberts, land her current job.

“Twenty years ago she hired Deborah from here,” he said. "Literally called her on the phone and said, I want you to come to '20/20.'"

Xo+RT+“@mariashriver:+Had+so+much+fun+seeing+these+ladies+today+to+celebrate+Barbara+Walters+@hodakotb+@EVargasABC+pic.twitter.com/c4ialzc16S”

—+Hoda+Kotb+(@hodakotb)+May+15,+2014+


With+@Lara+Spencer+@NMoralesNBC+@tamronhall.+Standby+for+the+action+shot+pic.twitter.com/CUfFnZhTe1

—+Savannah+Guthrie+(@SavannahGuthrie)+May+15,+2014+

And+here+is+the+#actionshot+@LaraSpencer+@NMoralesNBC+@tamronhall+pic.twitter.com/FXw926cVkE

—+Savannah+Guthrie+(@SavannahGuthrie)+May+15,+2014+

TODAY anchors questioned whether Walters will actually put down her reporter's notebook, noting she never officially said, "goodbye" at the gathering Thursday.

Willie Geist noted Walters was quoted in a recent article saying that she still would jump at the chance to interview a big name, such as Pope Francis.

"So you're not retired," Tamron said, comparing Walters to an NBA legend who "retired" several times before finally hanging up his court sneakers. "You're like Michael Jordan."