Pioneering journalist Gwen Ifill died yesterday (November 14) at the age of 61. Per an announcement from PBS, Ifill died after nearly a year of battling cancer. She was the co-anchor and managing editor for PBS NewsHour, where she worked to “tell the stories that shed light and spur action.” Along with Judy Woodruff, she was half of the first all-women anchoring team on a network newscast.
PBS published “Remembering Gwen” yesterday in tribute to the African-American journalist. From that article:
Gwen covered eight presidential campaigns, moderated two vice-presidential debates and served for 17 years on the NewsHour and as moderator and managing editor of “Washington Week.” In her early career, she covered politics and city hall for some of the country’s most prominent newspapers, including The New York Times, The Washington Post and the Baltimore Evening Sun, carving a path as one of the most accomplished journalists in U.S. media. She won countless awards, including the George Foster Peabody Award and the National Press Club’s Fourth Estate Award, and was the best-selling author of “The Breakthrough: Politics and Race in the Age of Obama.”
Ifill inspired many Black journalists who aspired to live out the words she told a Washingtonian reporter in 2015: “We can’t expect the world to get better by itself. We have to create something we can leave the next generation.”
Here are just some of the tributes posted in remembrance of her life and how she influenced the nation.
Watch these highlights from Gwen Ifill’s amazing career in journalism https://t.co/Elp4Bn5yhx
— PBS NewsHour (@NewsHour) November 14, 2016
Gwen Ifill was a role model to me and to every woman, especially black women who took up the calling of journalism. Honored to have met her. pic.twitter.com/agHfA1aIQV
— Joy Reid (@JoyAnnReid) November 14, 2016
"Gwen was a friend of ours. She was an extraordinary journalist" —@POTUS on the passing of Gwen Ifill: https://t.co/MncG2mHkhk
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) November 14, 2016
RIP Gwen Ifill, a true pioneer – Her journalistic voice and thoughtful analysis will be much missed, especially during the next 4 years.
— Orlando Jones (@TheOrlandoJones) November 15, 2016
Remembering Journalist Gwen Ifill, who died earlier today. She was 61.https://t.co/SDQZXLTiW7 pic.twitter.com/IlEgaDkT3a
— AllThingsConsidered (@npratc) November 14, 2016
Terribly saddened to hear that Gwen Ifill has passed away. She was an incredible journalist. We need more like her – now more than ever.
— Rep. Keith Ellison (@keithellison) November 14, 2016
We mourn the loss of an outstanding and beloved journalist and friend. Gwen Ifill will be deeply missed.
— John Lewis (@repjohnlewis) November 14, 2016
We have a tremendous amount of work ahead of us. I’m am heartbroken that we must do it without Gwen Ifill. Wonderful journalist and person.
— jelani cobb (@jelani9) November 14, 2016
I was at a loss of words over Gwen Ifill’s passing. Then I found some of hers. I know how to move forward now. @NewsHour misses you. #RIP pic.twitter.com/MtrEibDygm
— Joshua Barajas (@Josh_Barrage) November 14, 2016
The November 14 episode of PBS NewsHour focused primarily on Ifill’s life and career. Watch it below.