Respected veteran journalist and co-anchor of PBS NewsHour Gwen Ifill has died.
The award-winning political reporter’s death was confirmed on Monday (Nov 14), by PBS. The New York Times reports the Ifill’s cause of death was cancer. WETA President and CEO Sharon Percy Rockefeller shared a memo of grief with employees at the company. “I am very sad to tell you that our dear friend and beloved colleague Gwen Ifill passed away today in hospice care in Washington,” she wrote. “I spent an hour with her this morning and she was resting comfortably, surrounded by loving family and friends.”
With a career spanning decades, Ifill began in 1981 at The Baltimore Evening Sun. Her outstanding views on the political sphere earned her merits and positions at The New York Times and The Washington Post, covering the moves of The White House, presidential campaigns and national political conventions. She also moderated the vice-presidential debates in 2004 and 2008, as well as debates between Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton during the Democratic primaries.
Her position at PBS NewsHour with co-host Judy Woodruff made history as the first women to co-host a nightly news program. Sara Just, “PBS NewsHour” executive producer, hailed Ifill as the standard for quality journalism.
“Gwen was a standard bearer for courage, fairness and integrity in an industry going through seismic change,” Just said. She was a mentor to so many across the industry and her professionalism was respected across the political spectrum.”
President Barack Obama and many others across the media expressed their appreciation for Ifill and her legacy.
See the tributes below.
Pres. Obama remembers journalist Gwen Ifill: She "did her country a great service" https://t.co/yy8mnd2XP1 https://t.co/rappQB6Dep
— ABC News (@ABC) November 14, 2016
Saddened by the passing of Gwen Ifill – a true trailblazer in her field and a role model for young women journalists across the nation.
— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) November 14, 2016
I am saddened to learn about the passing of Gwen Ifill—an incredibly talented and respected journalist.
— Paul Ryan (@SpeakerRyan) November 14, 2016
Heartbroken to learn Gwen Ifill has passed away. She was my hero, a woman who deserved all the praise she received. Honest and true
— Tamron Hall (@tamronhall) November 14, 2016
Sadness beyond words.I know so many women, black women who believed they could succeed because of Gwen Ifill.She made us feel we could do it
— Tamron Hall (@tamronhall) 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
https://twitter.com/JoyAnnReid/status/798259287034384388
Very sad to learn we have lost Gwen Ifill. Gwen represented the best of broadcast journalism. Our hearts are broken.
— Lester Holt (@LesterHoltNBC) November 14, 2016
Gwen Ifill was my good friend. I will miss her. May she Rest In Peace. pic.twitter.com/sB7zUIj93d
— Wolf Blitzer (@wolfblitzer) November 14, 2016
https://twitter.com/ShaunKing/status/798244440653578240
I'm saddened to learn of the passing of @gwenifill. She was an amazing journalist and will be truly missed.
— Ben & Candy Carson (@RealBenCarson) November 14, 2016
Gwen Ifill, RIP. In a league of her own. A wonderful woman and mentor. An incisive and compelling reporter. pic.twitter.com/yZHw6cDcGr
— Robert Costa (@costareports) November 14, 2016
.@gwenifill I'm heartbroken and not ready for the past tense with you. Sending all the love in the world to your family and loved ones.
— Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) November 14, 2016
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