Pioneer Journalist Frances Lewine Passes Away At 86
Frances Lewine was one of the most honored and well respected journalists of our time – a White House correspondent for The Associated Press and CNN’s editor and producer for almost 30 years. Frances Lewine was also a woman. Lewine fought for women’s rights in journalism throughout her 50+ years as a journalist. She passed away this last weekend at the age of 86 due to a stroke. She was still working for CNN.
“It’s amazing that at her age, Fran was still staking out administration and elected officials after weekend talk shows,” CNN Washington Bureau Chief David Bohrman said. “All of journalism has lost a true pioneer.”
Frances was born in New York, grew up in Far Rockaway and graduated from Hunter College. She began covering the social scene at the White House in 1956 until 1965 when she became the first full-time female White House correspondent. She left the AP in 1977 to work in public affairs for the Carter Administration. In 1981, at the age of 60, she became a producer for the then newly launched CNN. During her career, she fought to open up news organizations, the National Press Club and the Gridiron Club, to women.
She was a pioneer. She was an amazing worker. She loved what she did. Her life story is powerful and impactful.
For more about Frances Lewine, visit www.cnn.com.
Photo from The Washington Press Club.