RECOGNIZING A "HISTORY MAKER" AND TRAILBLAZER!

U.S. Postal Service Issuing Gwen Ifill Black Heritage Forever Stamp Jan. 30th

(January 9, 2020)   Honoring the "life and legacy" of a iconic journalist taken too soon! Because of HER, I am!"  This week the Postal Service announced it is honoring the life and legacy of award-winning journalist Gwen Ifill with its 43rd stamp in its Black Heritage Series.

The honor will be bestowed in the memory of this trailblazer who left a hole in our hearts when she died after a prolonged illness in 2016. 

Gwen Ifill was a member of The National Association of Black Journalists where she faithfully poured into the NEXT GENERATION of digital journalists.

Every year I looked forward to seeing Gwen at NABJ's national conventions.  Every year she made me feel like I had her 'undivided attention." In addition to NABJ, Gwen Ifill earned the respect of her broadcast family at NBC and PBS.

Varion Walton and Gwen Ifill Attending NABJ Convention in Philadelphia 

Gwen Ifill was considered a "reporter's reporter!"  She was thorough, prepared and more than competent.  When she wasn't on with NBC NEWS or anchoring PBS' "NEWS HOUR" Gwen Ifill could be found mentoring, giving back and sowing into others.

In addition to being 'fiercely feminine,'  I remember Gwen Ifill as a great hugger who served up "good advice and sound counsel."  She was a consummate professional who was known for being tough, but fair.

Her influence gave so many other aspiring anchors and reporters like me "the audacity of hope!" Like me Gwen didn't look like the broadcasters model, she had a very proud ethnic look. She never conformed, standing proudly on her heritage.  Gwen Ifill knew exactly who she was and she untimately earned the highest respect from network executive because of her knowledge and preparedness, not what her image.

A  real history maker who is gone too soon but will be forever recognized in another respectable way.  

At the end of the month, the U.S. Postal service will honor the memory of this "truth seeker" in the most unique way with a "forever stamp!"

Vice President Joe Biden and Moderator Gwen Ifill

Here's hoping the "Forever Stamp" will begin to heal the holes in the hearts of Gwen's sister and the rest of her family.  This stamp encompasses her "bright light and fearless spirit."

The stamp artwork features a photo of Gwen taken in 2008 by photographer Robert Severi.  Art Director Derry Noyes designed the stamp.  Postal Service officials say The Gwen Ifill Stamp will be issued in panels of 20.  

The stamp dedication ceremony will be held Thursday,  January 30th at The Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C. 

The dedication service is free and open to the public.  News of the stamp is being shared with the hashtags #GwenIfillForever and #BlackHeritageStamps.

For U.S. Postal Service media resources, including broadcast quality video, audion and still photos visit: USPS Newsroom.