Gwen Ifill Quotes

Powerful Gwen Ifill for Daily Growth

About Gwen Ifill

Gwen Ifill (September 29, 1955 – November 14, 2016) was an acclaimed American journalist, known for her insightful interviews, compelling storytelling, and commitment to fairness in journalism. Born in New York City, Ifill's interest in news and politics was sparked at an early age by her mother, who instilled in her a love for reading. She studied communications at Simmons College and later obtained a master's degree from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. Ifill began her career in journalism at NBC News in 1977, where she worked as a Washington-based correspondent for nearly two decades. In 1999, she joined PBS and became the moderator of "Washington Week," a role she held until her passing. She also co-anchored "PBS NewsHour" with Jim Lehrer from 2005 to 2016. One of Ifill's most significant contributions to journalism was as the host and managing editor of PBS's "NewsHour Politics," where she provided extensive coverage of seven presidential campaigns, including the historic elections of Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012. In 2013, she published "The Breakthrough: Politics and Race in the Age of Obama," a book that explored race relations in America during Obama's presidency. Throughout her career, Ifill was recognized for her journalistic excellence. She received numerous awards, including four Emmys and three Peabody Awards. In 2015, she was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame. Ifill passed away in 2016 due to complications from cancer. Her legacy lives on through her extensive body of work and the Gwen Ifill Memorial Scholarship Fund, which supports journalism students at Simmons College. She will always be remembered as a trailblazer in journalism who consistently demonstrated professionalism, fairness, and integrity.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"We have to remember that it's not just about us as individuals; it's about all the people who came before us and worked for the right to vote."

This quote emphasizes the intergenerational aspect of progress and the importance of honoring those who fought for our rights. Gwen Ifill encourages us not only to value our individual privileges, but also to recognize the collective efforts that made them possible, especially the struggle for universal suffrage. It's a call to remember history, appreciate its significance, and continue pushing forward in the spirit of those who paved the way.


"Journalism is not a luxury. It's a constitutional necessity."

This quote by Gwen Ifill emphasizes the crucial role journalism plays in upholding democracy. In essence, it highlights the importance of an independent press as a cornerstone of an informed citizenry, essential for effective decision-making and self-governance. By providing accurate and unbiased information, journalists ensure that citizens can make well-informed decisions about their country's leaders and policies. As such, journalism is not just a profession but a fundamental aspect of the Constitution's principles of freedom of speech and transparency in government.


"You don't have to yell to be heard, but you do have to be clear."

This quote by Gwen Ifill emphasizes the importance of clarity over volume when communicating. It suggests that being assertive, understood, and coherent in one's message is more effective than speaking loudly or forcefully. Clear communication fosters understanding and encourages productive dialogue among individuals or groups.


"We are a nation built on change, and we've always moved forward when we've come together."

This quote by Gwen Ifill emphasizes that America is a country which thrives through change and progression. It suggests that unity among its people is crucial for navigating periods of transformation successfully, and that coming together as a nation fosters growth and advancement. The quote underscores the importance of collaboration and understanding in overcoming challenges and moving forward in the spirit of progress.


"In our democracy, the voters choose; in a courtroom, judges rule."

This quote highlights the fundamental separation of powers in a democratic system. The voters are responsible for choosing their representatives who make laws, while judges serve as unbiased arbiters in resolving disputes about those laws. It emphasizes the importance of an independent judiciary to uphold justice and respect for the rule of law in society.


Authentic apology is a tricky thing to pull off in politics, which is why it so seldom occurs. Plausible deniability must be preserved. True contrition has to be displayed. Traitors to the cause must be immediately be jettisoned. Most of all, the goal is to stop the bleeding.

- Gwen Ifill

Politics, Why, Bleeding, Contrition

I've spent so many years talking about lame ducks in the White House and Congress, and it's never occurred to me to find out what the heck it means. It turns out it's an old English hunting term - something about firing at a duck without quite killing it. In any case, the hobbled duck limps on, at a distinct disadvantage.

- Gwen Ifill

Congress, So Many Years, Duck

Journalists like to give themselves credit for being on the hunt for 'the truth.' But if we embrace this undoubtedly noble but somewhat haughty interpretation of a calling, we inevitably become susceptible to slam dunk answers.

- Gwen Ifill

Embrace, Give, Hunt, Dunk

If there is anything good to be said about my particular line of work, it's that we get to tell people the news they need to hear, and to put it in context. To get to that - for one hour every night on the 'PBS NewsHour,' and for an additional half-hour every Friday night on 'Washington Week,' we have to slog through a lot of tough stuff.

- Gwen Ifill

Week, Through, Friday Night, PBS

Once they have actually left office, we seem to grow fonder of our ex-presidents - and they of each other. That's why so many sighed in approval at Michelle Obama's public display of affection with George W. Bush at last month's dedication of the National Museum of African-American History and Culture.

- Gwen Ifill

Other, Michelle, Bush, African-American

I learned how to cover race riots by telephone. They didn't pay me enough at my first newspaper job to venture onto the grounds of South Boston High School when bricks were being thrown. Instead, I would telephone the headmaster and ask him to relay to me the number of broken chairs in the cafeteria each day.

- Gwen Ifill

Boston, Newspaper, South, Riots

One of the best features of my career is that I have gotten to meet and work with some of the most stellar people in the business. From Tim Russert and Jim Lehrer to Bryant Gumbel, Andrea Mitchell and Judy Woodruff, I have learned from the leading lights.

- Gwen Ifill

Career, Some, Gotten, Stellar

Some years ago, I was fortunate enough to land a reporting job at 'The Washington Post,' which pretty much put me in a state of constant awe. Bob Woodward would dish up ice cream sundaes for anyone stuck working on the weekend.

- Gwen Ifill

Weekend, Some, Constant, Woodward

When population shifts - brought about by fair housing laws, affirmative action and landmark school desegregation rulings - political power is challenged as well.

- Gwen Ifill

Laws, Affirmative Action, Shifts

A lot of Democrats are not that upset with Howard Dean. Howard Dean gets out here and he says these inflammatory things, and he doesn't apologize. He doesn't back down a little bit.

- Gwen Ifill

Here, Upset, Dean, Apologize

Simply as an exercise in efficient politics, Obama '08 rewrote the textbook. His accomplishment was historic and one that transformed how race and politics intersect in our society. Obama is the leading edge of this change, but his success is merely the ripple in a pond that grows deeper every day.

- Gwen Ifill

Politics, Pond, Leading, Intersect

To me, race is not all about grievance. It is also about pride and empathy and humanity and understanding the value of difference. But along with that, there are also expectations that we should set for ourselves and for others. We should expect to be treated as equal citizens.

- Gwen Ifill

Empathy, Treated, Set, Grievance

There seems to be more abiding interest in unearthing old memos abroad than there is here.

- Gwen Ifill

Interest, Here, Abroad, Abide

I recognize that it often serves competitors best to talk past each other - especially when you are trying to claim the fleeting attentions of voters on a debate stage or on social media. But think how much more clarity we could get if the people who wanted to be president clearly explained why he or she is the better choice.

- Gwen Ifill

Why, Other, Voters, Claim

I've been fortunate enough to write a book and travel the country to sign and sell it, so I can safely say that a five-second burst of conversation while you're scribbling your name, over and over, is not the most reliable way to bond with Americans.

- Gwen Ifill

Country, Been, Scribbling, Burst

I am in the bad news business. Seldom do I get to report on puppies, rainbows, or the sounds of children giggling. Well, never.

- Gwen Ifill

Business, News, Bad, Report

You would like me to say that the veil will be ripped from the voters' eyes sometime between now and November, thereby restoring the proper version of Democracy to the House and Senate. I won't say that, of course. The simple reason is, I don't know.

- Gwen Ifill

Reason, Sometime, November, Ripped

I wanted to be a journalist because I like to ask questions. And I like the idea that someone might feel responsible for answering them.

- Gwen Ifill

Like, Idea, Might, Answering

Because I have moderated two general election debates - in 2004 and 2008 - I know better than to carp from the sidelines. I am confident in my accomplishment of having had Queen Latifah portray me on 'Saturday Night Live' both years.

- Gwen Ifill

Queen, Confident, Saturday, Debates

Barack Obama's historic 2008 presidential campaign touched on all the themes I have covered throughout my career and all of the layers of meaning that run through black politics. Ambition. Aspiration. Fear. Folly. It was all on display as Obama boarded the roller coaster that ultimately led to the White House.

- Gwen Ifill

Politics, Through, Folly, Presidential

I loved covering presidential politics - not so much because of the candidates but because of the people it allowed me to talk to.

- Gwen Ifill

Politics, Covering, Allowed, Presidential

Don't count out other amazing programming like Frontline. You will still find more hours of in-depth news programming, investigative journalism and analysis on PBS than on any other outlet.

- Gwen Ifill

News, Other, PBS, Investigative

Diversity is essential to the success of the news industry, and journalists must include diverse voices in their coverage in order to reach a broader audience. We have stories to tell, but many in our audience have stopped listening because they can tell that we're not talking about them.

- Gwen Ifill

Reach, Tell, About, Broader

One of the things that Africa needs, everybody seems to agree, is some measure of debt relief.

- Gwen Ifill

Some, Africa, Needs, Relief

People do still cheer for the President. And some of the military audiences are more likely to cheer than others. I have seen him speak lately in front of groups like Freedom House, where the applause was a long time coming.

- Gwen Ifill

House, Him, Some, Applause

It's been years, decades, since a president has lost a major trade initiative. That would be bad headlines.

- Gwen Ifill

Initiative, Bad, Been, Decades

Hyperbole is not easily dealt with. Usually, it collapses under its own weight.

- Gwen Ifill

Own, Dealt, Easily, Hyperbole

As someone who asks questions for a living, there are few things that annoy me more than people who won't ask for themselves. Social media is a great help, but so is something as simple as turning on your television or powering up your laptop to watch a smart news show.

- Gwen Ifill

Questions, Annoy, Show, Social Media

If it were the Clinton people, they'd be sitting around figuring out how to pull themselves out. Instead the president is continuing to go around the country and peddling Social Security, which the needle is not moving on.

- Gwen Ifill

Country, Around, Clinton, Sitting

We're not paying attention to the fact that Hillary Clinton is running in 2006. Everyone is looking to her for the future. It's the same with anybody else who's positioning themselves.

- Gwen Ifill

Fact, Everyone, Anybody, Positioning

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