NPR ‘Founding Mother’ Cokie Roberts Dead At 75.

Story by Inside Radio

Veteran journalist Cokie Roberts has died at the age of 75, due to complications from breast cancer. Roberts’ broadcasting trail was blazed through NPR, when she joined the fledgling network in 1978 and had a profound impact. She later went on to ABC News, where she won numerous Emmys throughout her long career.

“Cokie was one of NPR's ‘founding mothers,’ since 1978 her signature voice and commentary have accompanied public radio listeners, provided context for news and been a familiar presence in their homes,” NPR President and CEO Jarl Mohn said in a statement. “Cokie has won almost every award in journalism; she has been the trusted voice that Americans count on when political news breaks.”

Pat Harrison, president and chief executive officer of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), called Roberts “a formative voice in the early years of NPR, when few women held high-profile positions in national journalism. For a decade, as NPR’s Congressional correspondent, she offered fair, insightful coverage of the inner workings of Congress.”

In a statement, NAB President & CEO Gordon Smith said Roberts’ numerous awards are “testament to a glass-shattering career that inspired scores of professional women journalists.” Smith who got to know the esteemed broadcaster during his years in the Senate, added, “Cokie brought class, intelligence and fairness to political journalism, whether as co-host of ABC’s ‘This Week’ or offering commentaries on public radio. Her contributions to politics and broadcasting will never be forgotten.”

In his own statement, ABC News President James Goldston said, “Cokie’s kindness, generosity, sharp intellect and thoughtful take on the big issues of the day made ABC a better place and all of us better journalists.”

After moving to ABC News, Roberts remained part of public media by contributing to NPR as a political commentator for decades.

CPB awarded her the 1990 Edward R. Murrow Award in recognition of her outstanding contributions to public radio. Roberts was inducted into the Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame and was cited by the American Women in Radio and Television as one of the 50 greatest women in the history of broadcasting. She received the NAB Distinguished Service Award, the broadcast industry's highest honor, at the NAB Show in 2003 and was named a “Living Legend” by the Library of Congress in 2008.