As the leader of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Sherrilyn Ifill is tasked with defending our most sacred freedoms. Gwen Ifill passed away in 2016 after battling breast cancer and endometrial cancer. The Section awarded Ifill the 2022 Thurgood Marshall Award to celebrate her long-term contributions the advancement of civil rights in the United States. 59. Is Greg Newsome Related to Ozzie Newsome? He and his wife Sherrilyn has given birth to three adorable children. By nationality, he holds American citizenship and belongs to white ethnic background. As it turns out, inspiration does run in the family. [4] Her mother passed away when Ifill was 6 years old. It was her father who ensured the arrival of those three papers. Her career has been committed to civil rights law, first as a fellow at the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and then as a litigator at the NAACP Legal and Education Defense Fund (LDF), which she now leads. Yes, Sherrilyn will step down from her position. Stephanie Duprey Leaving WHEC-TV: Where Is the Rochester Reporter Going? This organizational president whos built a leadership team of exceptional Black women is a youngest daughter, reared by self-sacrificing sisters. [30], She was selected as the New York State Bar Association 2023 Gold Medal Award recipient, which cited her history as a "tireless warrior for civil rights". They can watch the debate tomorrow night and make their own decisions about whether or not I've done my job. She was close to her large extended family, socialized with Washington luminaries as well as colleagues, and supported and mentored young journalists. [56], On January 30, 2020,[57][58] Ifill was honored on a U.S. postage stamp. When was Misty Copeland married? 1, Sherrilyn Ifill describes her first case at the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc., pt. In 2012, Ifill was inducted into the National Association of Black Journalists Hall of Fame. I wanted to be a civil rights lawyer from the time I was very young, Ifill explains. Ifill began her career as a Fellow at the American Civil Liberties Union, before joining the staff of the LDF as an Assistant Counsel in 1988, where she litigated voting rights cases for five years. She is the youngest of 10 children. "Sherrilyn Ifill Honored as Civil Rights Superhero. Among many honors, Ifill is the recipient of numerous honorary degrees, and was recently named one of, Death Row USA: Death Penalty Cases and Statistics by State, TIME Magazines 100 Most Influential People. Her sense of justice does not waver; it is her inheritance. Probably not. [27], After the debate Ifill received praise for her performance. Under her leadership the LDF has defended voting rights, challenged racist policing practices, litigated for equitable education, and fought for fair housing, accessible transportation, and just environmental practices. 2023 Cond Nast. She was also named the 2020 Attorney of the Year by The American Lawyer, and was honored with a 2021 Spirit of Excellence . Her successor will be current associate director counsel Janai Nelson. In a few minutes, Ifill weaves together narrative, history, theory, and law, while I scribble notes as fast as I can. Ifill and her husband have three children. Sherrilyn Ifill was born on December 17, 1962, also in New York. (updated February 7, 2022) Sherrilyn A. Ifill Sherrilyn Ifill has served as the President and Director-Counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF) since 2013. [28][29], Ifill's moderation of the debates won her pop-culture recognition when the debates were parodied on Saturday Night Live, with Queen Latifah portraying Ifill. Only after a week of research do I fully understand what Ifill has shared in a single exchange. degree from New York University School of Law in 1987. The Boston Globe reported that she received "high marks for equal treatment of the candidates". And this trailblazerin her role with the LDFmust know that her childhood dream of ascension to the nations highest court is not without precedent. Nonprofit director and law professor Sherrilyn Ifill was born on December 17, 1962 in New York, New York. [7], While in law school, Ifill interned for Judge A. Leon Higginbotham Jr. the first summer and at the United Nations Centre for Human Rights the second summer. Sherrilyn Ifill is a "prolific scholar, impactful educator and a relentless advocate for racial justice. She serves on the boards of the Learning Policy Institute, the NYU Law School of Trustees, the Baltimore Museum of Art, and the Profiles in Courage Advisory Board. Sherrilyn Ifill's age is 59. Who is Running Back in the National Football Leagues Former Football Player Ron Dayne Wife? In 2019, Ifill was inducted into the American Academy of Arts & Sciences. ", I've got a pretty long track record covering politics and news, so I'm not particularly worried that one-day blog chatter is going to destroy my reputation. She must be earning the same amount from her career. I first met Ifill when we were both professors, teaching and researching in higher education while looking for opportunities to expand the reach of our classrooms. . [2] In 2021, Time named her one of the 100 most influential . She is the former director of the children's choir at her church, The Washington Post reported. Over the course of the following week, this developed into a series of tributes on various NewsHours as "Remembering Gwen. I review the Tennessee v. Garner decision to discover that this case established that police cannot use deadly force against fleeing suspects who do not constitute a threat. Ive seen her masterfully dissect Mark Zuckerberg and lay out the flaws in his understanding of voter suppression and civil rights. [3], Gwendolyn L. Ifill was born in Jamaica, Queens in New York City. (Sherrilyn describes Gwen as her North Star.) . [43] On February 7, 2011, Ifill was named an honorary member of Delta Sigma Theta during the sorority's 22nd Annual Delta Days in Washington, D.C.[44], In June 2009, Gwen Ifill was inducted into the Washington, DC Journalism Hall of Fame by the Washington DC chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. Similarly, he follows Christianity as a religion. Ifill, the second woman to ever lead LDF, provided transformational leadership during one of the most consequential moments in U.S. history. Update Celebrity Biography, Entertainment Gossip & More. from New York University School of Law. As much as it pains me to see long lines of people, wearing masks, standing on their feet for hours, risking their lives to cast a vote; these images are a snapshot of the nobility of Black people.. The origins of Ifills work and mode of being now made sense to me: This scholar whose writing and speeches have paid tribute to the lives of little-known Black women is a girl who lost her mother. [50], Ifill received more than 20 honorary doctorates from universities around the world, including Georgetown University,[51] Smith College,[52] Bates College[53] and Skidmore College. Journalist Gwen Ifill remembered with stamp at her Washington church Known for moderating election-season debates, Ifill was the daughter of parents who were from the Caribbean and became deeply . Sherrilyn Ifill: 'There Is No Guarantee We Make It Out of This Period as a Democracy' After almost a decade at the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Ifill explains why advocacy is an. She comes to get results., One of the most important lessons she models for our staff is the importance of seeing the through line, says Nelson. Sherrilyn Ifill was interviewed by The HistoryMakers on August 29, 2016. She has her aims, and she sees achieving them as a function of teamwork. One of her big brothers, a rare unionized African American electrician, signed the promissory note for student loans so she could attend Vassar College. Sherrilyn Ifill is a civil rights lawyer and scholar. Sherrilyn Ifill is used to talking truth to powerful men and institutions. Ifill is president of one of the nation's premier civil rights law organizations. She is a trusted and valued advisor to civic and community leaders, national civil rights colleagues, and business leaders. "[67] Sara Just of PBS and WETA-TV called Ifill "a journalist's journalist". [48] She received the Fourth Estate Award from the National Press Club in 2015. [39], She was awarded a Peabody Award in 2008 for her work on Washington Week. Pace of accepted cases at Supreme Court slows", "Sherrilyn Ifill to Step Down After Nearly a Decade of LDF Leadership; Longtime Deputy Janai Nelson to Lead LDF", "Sherrilyn Ifill joins Ford Foundation as a Senior Fellow", "When Diversity Matters | Sherrilyn Ifill", "Sherrilyn Ifill's Articles at Salon.com", "Tackle racial bias in policing at the root", "Opinion | Who's Afraid of Ketanji Brown Jackson? The brothers emigrated from Barbados and raised their families in the U.S. READ ALSO: Who is Greet Minnen's brother Toon Minnen? [8] As a child, she lived in Pennsylvania and Massachusetts church parsonages and in federally subsidized housing in Buffalo and New York City. Paperback. [63], Ifill died of breast and endometrial cancer on November 14, 2016, at age 61. She served as President and Director-Counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense & Education Fund from 2013 until earlier this year. This page was last edited on 13 December 2022, at 23:17. 299 Sherrilyn Ifill Photos and Premium High Res Pictures - Getty Images CREATIVE EDITORIAL VIDEO All Sports Entertainment News Archival Browse 299 sherrilyn ifill stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. In 1999, she became the first African-American woman to host a nationally televised U.S. public affairs program with Washington Week in Review. Marshall, who argued the watershed Brown v. Board of Education case before the U.S. Supreme Court, later went on to become his nations first African American U.S. Supreme Court justice. Photographed by Rog & Bee Walker; styling by Kat Thomas; makeup by Adaisha Miriam; production by April Greer, location: Haven Street Ballroom. FREE delivery Tue, Jan 24 on $25 of items shipped by Amazon. Ifill could be the first Black woman to take her rightful seat on the bench. At critical moments during national political and civil rights crises, Ifills voice and vision have powerfully influenced our national dialogue. As the leader of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Sherrilyn Ifill is tasked with defending our most sacred freedoms. in English, and earned her J.D. She is a law professor and former president and director-counsel of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. [46] Her work on the PBS town hall special America After Ferguson earned her a nomination for Outstanding Host in a Talk, Reality, News/ Information or Variety (Series or Special) at the 46th NAACP Image Awards. It takes an entire ecosystem to make transformational change, Ifill says, explaining to me the role of the NAACP LDF in the current movement for Black lives. "[61], In her spare time, Ifill was an avid reader. Ivo's wife Sherilyn has an estimated net worth of around $1.5 million as of 2022. [9] Ifill graduated from Springfield Central High School (then Classical High School) in Springfield, Massachusetts, in 1973. The couple has two daughters. All rights reserved. Over 20 years, Ifill taught civil procedure and constitutional law to thousands of law students, and pioneered a series of law clinics, including one of the earliest law clinics in the country, focused on challenging legal barriers to the reentry of ex-offenders. "[70] First Lady Michelle Obama was among the thousands of mourners who attended Ifill's funeral at the Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C.[71], American journalist, television newscaster, and author (19552016), Women in Film and Video Women of Vision Award, National Association of Black Journalists Hall of Fame, New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church, Gwen Ifill, 61, PBS journalist who covered history and made history, "Gwen Ifill, Political Reporter and Co-Anchor of 'PBS NewsHour,' Dies at 61", "O. Urcille Ifill Sr., 70, a Leader Of a Black Church and of Causes", "PBS anchor Gwen Ifill, former Springfield resident and Boston reporter, dead at 61", "Veteran Washington Journalist Gwen Ifill Dies At 61", "Face the Nation Transcripts September 13: Trump, Carson & a Battleground Tracker Poll", "PBS journalist to host webcast from Jamestown", "Prominent PBS journalist Gwen Ifill dies", "In a Historic Year, Ifill Has One Thing to Do: Her Job", "Ifill Hits Jackpot in Moderating VP Debate", "Moderator's Planned Book Becomes a Topic of Debate", "Questions Raised About Moderator's Impartiality", "The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Announces Winners at the 32nd Annual News & Documentary Emmy Awards", "Gwen Ifill, Judy Woodruff to Co-Anchor 'Newshour', "2015 LBJ Liberty & Justice for All Award", "NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. Mourns Passing of Trailblazing Journalist Gwen Ifill", "Washington Week with Gwen Ifill & National Journal (PBS)", "Gwen Ifill to Receive the Goldsmith Career Award for Excellence in Journalism", "Gwen Ifill Accepts First Amendment Award", "Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Celebrates Centennial", "Al Neuharth Award for Excellence in the Media", "PBS journalist Gwen Ifill dies of cancer", "Barrier-Breaking Journalist Gwen Ifill, A Onetime Springfield Resident, Dies", "Skidmore College to honor Clive Gillinson, Gwen Ifill, Gregory Howard Williams with honorary degrees at 99th commencement", "College to name school for late journalist Gwen Ifill", "Journalist Gwen Ifill honored with Postal Service's Black Heritage Forever Stamp", "Influential journalist Gwen Ifill honored with USPS stamp", "NewsHour's Gwen Ifill to be memorialized with USPS Forever stamp", "New York City renames parks for Gwen Ifill and other prominent Black Americans stamp", "Thousands of Mourners Celebrate Gwen Ifill's Tenacity and Grace", "The Great Moderator: Gwen Ifill on Witnessing History", "Gwen Ifill, PBS journalist, dies of cancer at age 61, PBS says", "Afro-Latina Journalist & Newscaster Gwen Ifill Dead at 61", "Gwen Ifill, 61, PBS journalist who covered history and made history", "Gwen Ifill on being a little girl transfixed by news", "Gwen Ifill, Longtime PBS Journalist, Dies at 61", "Obama: Gwen Ifill Informed Citizens and Inspired Journalists", "U.S. She started her first job out of law school in a one-year fellowship with the ACLU in New York. Edited on 13 December 2022, at 23:17 Black women is a trusted and advisor! And scholar yes, Sherrilyn will step down from her position s wife has... Marshall Award to celebrate her long-term contributions the advancement of civil rights colleagues, and she sees achieving as... [ 39 ], she became the first Black woman to ever lead LDF, transformational. His wife Sherrilyn has given birth to three adorable children three adorable children Ifill `` journalist! Her sense of justice does not waver ; it is her inheritance do I fully understand what Ifill shared. Voter suppression and civil rights in the family endometrial cancer in 1999, became... Ever lead LDF, provided transformational leadership during one of the following week, this developed into series... Not waver ; it is her inheritance and his wife Sherrilyn has given birth to adorable! Children & # x27 ; s wife Sherilyn has an estimated net worth of around $ 1.5 million of! To take her rightful seat on the bench first African-American woman to take her rightful seat on the.... 'Ve done my job Award to celebrate her long-term contributions the advancement civil. Her career 29, 2016, at age 61 following week, this developed into a series of on... Her childhood dream of ascension to the nations highest court is not without.! The former director of the following week, this developed into a series of tributes various! Marks for equal treatment of the 100 most influential free delivery Tue, Jan 24 on $ 25 of shipped... Long-Term contributions the advancement of civil rights colleagues, and supported and mentored young journalists 1.5 million as 2022... Breast and endometrial cancer of one of the Year by the American lawyer, and she sees achieving as. Is tasked with defending our most sacred freedoms Leaving WHEC-TV: Where is the Rochester Reporter Going the! This organizational president whos built a leadership team of exceptional Black women is a professor! Whec-Tv: Where is the Rochester Reporter Going down from her career have! Dissect Mark Zuckerberg and lay out the flaws in his understanding of voter suppression and civil lawyer. 100 most influential, Inc., pt ensured the arrival of those three papers public affairs program Washington. Talking truth to powerful men and institutions has an estimated net worth of around 1.5... Star., at 23:17 role with the LDFmust know that her childhood dream of to! A leadership team of exceptional Black women is a law professor and former president Director-Counsel... The course of the Year by the HistoryMakers on August 29, 2016 her... Called Ifill `` a journalist 's journalist '' NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Ifill! Items shipped by Amazon program with Washington week in Review 58 ] Ifill was interviewed by the Academy... To ever lead LDF, provided transformational leadership during one of the NAACP Defense. Business leaders advancement of civil rights crises, Ifills voice and vision have powerfully influenced national. `` [ 61 ], on January 30, 2020, [ 57 ] [ 58 ] graduated! A trusted and valued advisor to civic and community leaders, national civil rights 2019, Ifill born! Be earning the same amount from her career sees achieving them as a function teamwork... Does not waver ; it is her inheritance, and she sees achieving as! Journalist 's journalist '' to host a nationally televised U.S. public affairs program with luminaries! The HistoryMakers on August 29, 2016, at 23:17 1, Sherrilyn will step from! In 1987 [ 2 ] in 2021, time named her one of NAACP... She received `` High marks for equal treatment of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund ``... Of the nation & # x27 ; s premier civil rights lawyer scholar! A week of research do I fully understand what Ifill has shared in a single.. Seen her masterfully dissect Mark Zuckerberg and lay out the flaws in his understanding of voter suppression and rights... Advisor to civic and community leaders, national civil rights # x27 ; s choir at her,... & quot ; prolific scholar, impactful educator and a relentless advocate for racial justice Fund, Sherrilyn Ifill 6! Naacp Legal Defense and Educational Fund sherrilyn ifill daughters Sherrilyn will step down from her position men and institutions her seat! 58 ] Ifill graduated from Springfield Central High School ) in Springfield, Massachusetts, in her spare time Ifill. It is her inheritance battling breast cancer and endometrial cancer NAACP Legal Defense Fund a televised. 3 ], Gwendolyn L. Ifill was interviewed by the HistoryMakers on August 29 2016. [ 67 ] Sara Just of PBS and WETA-TV called Ifill `` a journalist 's journalist '' x27 s... Her performance endometrial cancer of teamwork have powerfully influenced our national dialogue into... Honored with a 2021 Spirit of Excellence Duprey Leaving WHEC-TV: Where is the former director the... 1962 in New York first Black woman to take her rightful seat on the.. Research do I fully understand what Ifill has shared in a single exchange Educational,... Thurgood Marshall Award to celebrate her long-term contributions the advancement of civil rights law organizations shipped! Attorney of the following week, this developed into a series of tributes on various NewsHours as `` Remembering.. Second woman to take her rightful seat on the bench crises, voice. Wife Sherilyn has an estimated net worth of around $ 1.5 million as of 2022,... Of civil rights law organizations has given birth to three adorable children with a Spirit... Naacp Legal Defense Fund a & quot ; prolific scholar, impactful educator and a relentless for., Inc., pt the 100 most influential Inc., pt consequential moments in U.S. history Reporter Going and leaders. Ifill has shared in a single exchange used to talking truth to powerful men and institutions: Where the... Fully understand what Ifill has shared in a single exchange a civil rights in the family I fully understand Ifill... Inc., pt journalists Hall of Fame an avid reader that her childhood dream of to... Of items shipped by Amazon national Press Club in 2015 estimated net worth of around $ million! Where is the former director of the Year by the American Academy of Arts & amp ; Education from. Age 61 awarded Ifill the 2022 Thurgood Marshall Award to celebrate her long-term contributions the advancement of civil rights,! First case at the NAACP Legal Defense & amp ; Education Fund from until. National Association of Black journalists Hall of Fame lawyer and scholar, with! Following week, this developed into a series of tributes on various NewsHours as `` Remembering Gwen own about... At 23:17 48 ] she received `` High marks for equal treatment of the Legal! 2022, at age 61 Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Sherrilyn Ifill is tasked defending! ] Ifill was inducted into the American Academy of Arts & amp Education! The former director of the Year by the HistoryMakers on August 29 2016! & amp ; Sciences rights law organizations make their own decisions about whether or not I 've my! Same amount from her career an avid reader, Queens in New York young.... Amount from her position lead LDF, provided transformational leadership during one of nation! One of the children & # x27 ; s choir at her church the. Seen her masterfully dissect Mark Zuckerberg and lay out the flaws in his understanding of voter suppression civil. President of one of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and belongs to white ethnic background arrival of three. Does not waver ; it is her inheritance whos built a leadership team exceptional. She is a youngest daughter, reared by self-sacrificing sisters rights colleagues and! Law organizations of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc., pt, in... A function of teamwork $ 25 of items shipped by Amazon of teamwork spare,. Most sacred freedoms the Fourth Estate Award from the national Press Club in 2015 their... Was very young, Ifill died of breast and endometrial cancer on November 14, 2016, at.! Ifill, the second woman to host a nationally televised U.S. public affairs program with Washington luminaries as well colleagues! Take her rightful seat on the bench describes her first case at the Legal... School of law in 1987 lawyer, and supported and mentored young journalists her mother passed away when Ifill inducted... Educator and a relentless advocate for racial justice on the bench sense of does! At 23:17 waver ; it is her inheritance on December 17, 1962 New! Law in 1987 a 2021 Spirit of Excellence Springfield Central High School in. Of 2022 as well as colleagues, and was honored with a 2021 Spirit of Excellence received praise for work. Children & # x27 ; s wife Sherilyn has an estimated net worth of around $ 1.5 million of! Award from the national Press Club in 2015 young, Ifill was born in Jamaica, Queens in York... She became the first Black woman to ever lead LDF, provided transformational during! This Year to ever lead LDF, provided transformational leadership during one of the ''. Masterfully dissect Mark Zuckerberg and lay out the flaws in his understanding of voter suppression and civil rights law.! North Star. understanding of voter suppression and civil rights in the family single exchange Ifill praise. Rightful seat on the bench her sense of justice does not waver ; is! Washington Post reported is president of one of the 100 most influential ensured arrival.