In 2020, the US Postal Service commemorated Gwen Ifill on a postage stamp. My mind immediately traveled back to the many nights that husband and I watched Gwen and Judy Woodruff on the PBS Newshour each night. It was like watching two girlfriends tell you the news. Their style together consisted of an unmatched professionalism and amazing tactfulness as they delivered the state of the world through impartial eyes.
As an African American woman, I felt that Gwen was a fantastically dedicated human who was passionate about her work in journalism. She was a definite role model to me in my career in IT. As I watched and admired her execute her work each night, I thought sincerely about how I execute my work each day. Like Gwen did, I aspire to deliver professionalism, steadfastness and purpose in my job.
Devastation was the predominate emotion we felt upon learning about Gwen’s untimely death at 61 from cancer. The only sense to make of it was that God was ready for her early. Although we still watch and support Judy in her newscast each night, we miss Gwen’s smile and place across from her dear friend, Judy. So, the release of this stamp for Gwen is as well-deserved a tribute as any. She was a wonderful spirit in her humanness. She was a tremendous role model for her work ethic, professionalism, grace and tactfulness. I for one am so very excited to acquire this stamp as part of my collection on African American Excellence.
RESOURCES
American Philatelic Society (1/31/2020). U.S. Postal Service Salutes Pioneering Journalist Gwen Ifill.
https://stamps.org/news/c/news/cat/us-new-issues/post/u-s-postal-service-salutes-pioneering-journalist-gwen-ifill
USPS Dedication Ceremony – Gwen Ifill [VIDEO]
https://youtu.be/blPBaGLoN7Q
USPS – National News (Jan. 30, 2020). U.S. Postal Service Salutes Pioneering Journalist Gwen Ifill.
https://about.usps.com/newsroom/national-releases/2020/0130-usps-salutes-pioneering-journalist-gwen-ifill.htm
State of Stamp Collecting 
Leave a comment