Thousands gather to mourn, celebrate, journalist Gwen Ifill
WASHINGTON — Thousands of mourners — including first lady Michelle Obama — remembered and celebrated veteran Washington journalist Gwen Ifill on Saturday, recalling her as a standard bearer, cherished friend, devoted mentor and woman of abiding faith.
Ifill died Monday at 61 after a yearlong battle with cancer. Mrs. Obama did not speak at the service, but several journalists and political figures offered reflections.
“We didn’t look like other anchor pairs — and we loved that,” said Judy Woodruff, half of the history-making team that became the first female co-anchors of a major news broadcast in 2013. The two co-hosted PBS’ “NewsHour.” Woodruff added that Ifill is needed “more than ever.”
“Never have we faced tougher challenges, and no one would’ve risen to them better,” she added. Ifill, she added, will “be our compass.”