WASHINGTON (AP) – Washington journalist Gwen Ifill was remembered Saturday as an accomplished newswoman, cherished friend and woman of faith by thousands of mourners – including first lady Michelle Obama.
Mrs. Obama did not speak at the service, but former Attorney General Eric Holder read a letter from President Barack Obama, who was in Peru. Many in attendance at Metropolitan A.M.E. Church were members of the media and political class, including ex-CNN anchor Bernard Shaw and civil rights attorney Vernon Jordan.
Ifill’s PBS “NewsHour” co-anchor, Judy Woodruff also spoke at the funeral. The two made history when they became the first female co-anchors of a major news broadcast in 2013. Ifill began her career in newspapers, including the Baltimore Sun, Washington Post and New York Times.
Ifill died Monday at 61.