Gwen Ifill: 1955 to 2016

Gwen Ifill, a pioneering African-American journalist whose career evolved from an internship in a newspaper city room to the pinnacle of national political journalism, died Monday from endometrial cancer in Washington at age 61.

We at the Maynard Institute mourn her loss. She was a generous mentor, particularly to young people, and a great friend of the Institute.

Ms. Ifill was co-anchor of “The PBS NewsHour” and moderator of the PBS “Washington Week” program. She moderated a Democratic primary debate between Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders in February, before illness forced her to take a leave of absence from PBS.

From her early newspaper days in Boston and Baltimore, Ms. Ifill was a pioneer, often the only African American woman covering local political beats. The New York City native moved to the Washington Post and New York Times before transitioning her energies to broadcast media with jobs at NBC and PBS.

Gwen Ifill, who overcame barriers as a black female journalist, dies at 61 - The Washington Post

Gwen Ifill, Award-Winning Political Reporter and Author, Dies at 61 - The New York Times

Remembering Gwen Ifill - PBS