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November 15, 2016

Award-Winning Journalist & Anchor Gwen Ifill Has Died at 61
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And the award-winning journalist and news anchor Gwen Ifill has died of
cancer at the age of 61. In 1999, Ifill became the first
African-American woman to host a major national political talk show when
she took the helm of "Washington Week in Review." In 2013, she became
co-host of the "PBS News Hour," taking an anchor chair next to Judy
Woodruff. Ifill continued covering the presidential election throughout
the year, even as she underwent cancer treatment. Last spring, she
moderated a Democratic primary debate between Hillary Clinton and Sen.
Bernie Sanders. At a press conference Monday, President Barack Obama
reacted to Ifill's passing.

President Barack Obama: "Michelle and I want to offer our deepest
condolences to Gwen Ifill's family and all of you, her colleagues, on
her passing. Gwen was a friend of ours. She was an extraordinary
journalist. She always kept faith with the fundamental responsibilities
of her profession, asking tough questions, holding people in power
accountable and defending a strong and free press that makes our
democracy work. I always appreciated Gwen's reporting, even when I was
at the receiving end of one of her tough and thorough interviews.
Whether she reported from a convention floor or from the field, whether
she sat at the debate moderator's table or at the anchor's desk, she not
only informed today's citizens, but she also inspired tomorrow's
journalists."

Topics:Journalism

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