PBS News Hour anchor Gwen Ifill has passed away
Listen to this articleOne of the most respected journalists on TV or in print, Gwendolyn L. “Gwen” Ifill passed away at the age of 61. She had been battling endometrial cancer.
Ifill got her statin journalism at the Boston Globe as an intern when she was at Simmons College. After graduation the Globe hired Ifill full time due to a note she received as an intern that said, “Nigger go home.” Since then Ifill has worked for the Baltimore Evening Sun, the Washington Post, New York Times and NBC News, before settling at PBS.
While at PBS Ifill hosted the Washington Week in Review (which became Washington Week With Gwen Ifill) and in 2013 She and July Woodruff became the first women to host a primetime news program with they took over as co-anchors and co-managing editors of the PBS News Hour. the news program was the only hour-long news program aired on broadcast television and remains so.
Ifill was considered a steady and reliable news reporter and anchor who stuck to the facts with little or no editorial comment. In 2008 and 2012 she was the moderator for the vice presidential debates, both of which received high marks for her professionalism.
Gwen fill was a pioneering woman in Journalism her fellow journalists — and politicians — have expressed their condolences and thoughts. PBS tweeted the news just a short time ago, “It is with heavy hearts that we share that our dear friend and beloved colleague Gwen Ifill has passed away.”
New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof called Ifill a “super person” and a “model of professionalism.” Lester Holt, anchor of the NBC Nightly News tweeted, “Gwen represented the best of broadcast journalism. Our hearts are broken.” Tamron Hall of NBC tweeted, “Heartbroken to learn Gwen Ifill has passed away. She was my hero, a woman who deserved all the praise she received. Honest and true.”
Congressman John Lewis of Maryland said, “We mourn the loss of an outstanding and beloved journalist and friend. Gwen Ifill will be deeply missed.”
Actor Wendell Pierce tweeted, “Gwen Ifill and her family are some of the most intelligent and faithful people I have ever known.” Columnist Touré said, “Gwen Ifill was an American treasure. First rate journalist, lovely person, brilliant woman. She will be missed.” Former GOP candidate for president Dr. Ben Carson tweeted, “I’m saddened to learn of the passing of @gwenifill. She was an amazing journalist and will be truly missed.” Speaker of the House Paul Ryan said, “I am saddened to learn about the passing of Gwen Ifill—an incredibly talented and respected journalist.”
After a brief description of Ifill’s career, NBC correspondent Pete Williams said Ifill would find these times fascinating and that he wished she were still with us to tell us what she thinks of it.
Ifill was considered by many to be a steady voice in a shaky world so she will be remembered for many things, but maybe this quote sums up er outlook on,ife and politics: “Hope springs eternal, even in politics.”
Gwen Ifill died at her home, surrounded by family and friends, Monday, November 14, 2016.
Photos from Wikipedia
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