Today In Black History
Gwen Ifill, Award-winning Journalist
Issue #520 Today In Black History, Monday, March 4, 2024
Today’s Black History WOW!
Photo Credit: PBS
Award-winning PBS-TV journalist Gwen Ifill was born on September 29, 1955, in New York, New York to her parents, O. Urcille Ifill, Sr., an African Methodist Episcopal minister originally from Panama, and her mother, Eleanor Husbands from Barbados.
Ifill began her career in journalism as a reporter for The Baltimore Evening Sun before moving on to The Washington Post. She eventually made her way to television, working as a political analyst for NBC News and later becoming the moderator and managing editor of PBS's Washington Week.
She was the first Black woman to host a nationwide televised public affairs show in the United States.
In 1999, Ifill became the first African American woman to host a prominent political talk show on national television when she became moderator and managing editor of PBS’s Washington Week and senior political correspondent for The PBS NewsHour.
In 2004, Ifill moderated the vice-presidential debate between Republican Vice President Dick Cheney and Democratic Senator John Edwards, and in 2008, she moderated the vice-presidential debate between Democratic Senator Joe Biden and Republican Governor Sarah Palin.
In addition to her work in the media, Ifill was a bestselling author, penning a biography of pioneering politician Shirley Chisholm and co-writing a book on the impact of race on Barack Obama's presidency.
Gwen Ifill died of breast and endometrial cancer on November 14, 2016, at age 61 in Washington, D.C.
Today In Black History
- In 1789, the U.S. Constitution went into effect and the 1st Congress met with 9 senators and 13 representatives.
- In 1837, the 2nd major Black newspaper, the Weekly Advocate, changed its name to the Colored American.
- In 1861, the Confederate States adopted the “Stars & Bars” as their official flag.
- In 1871, Josiah Thomas Walls won an at-large election, becoming the first Black Congressman to represent an entire state (Florida). He served in the 42nd Congress.
- In 1889, the 51st Congress convened with three Black Congressmen: Henry P. Cheatham (NC), Thomas E. Miller (SC), and John M. Langston (VA).
- In 1954, President Dwight Eisenhower appointed James Ernest Wilkins as Undersecretary of Labor.
- In 1968, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King announced the formation of the “Poor Peoples’ Campaign” to pressure the government to provide jobs and income for all Americans. Dr. King was assassinated exactly one month later on April 4, 1968.
- The “Comments” feature has been disabled. Instead, let’s discuss these facts in our community on Substack Notes. You can also read other Substack publications without subscribing to them when you join Notes.
This post is free to read/listen to for three days after publication. To have 365 24/7 access to all our posts and podcast episodes and financially support “We Are Speaking” for no more than $5 per month, please subscribe at the paid level. You will receive a 7-day FREE trial!
