Cokie Roberts passed away. It’s a simple news fact, anticipated by those near her and in the industry, but deeply saddening nonetheless. Cokie was one of the three NPR “founding mothers,” along with Linda Wertheimer and Susan Stamberg. Their courage, spunk, and insistence were legendary. Cokie was a giant among public radio reporters and commercial television announcers, and an inspiration to many women in public radio today. Her voice will continue to be heard in the work of generations of journalists who learned their craft from listening to her on their public radio stations. Here’s an excerpt from NPR’s official statement, written by departing CEO Jarl Mohn: “The public radio family has lost a founding mother, a journalist whose vigorous mind, boundless curiosity, and commitment to NPR have helped make us what we are today. Cokie’s contributions to public radio – and all of journalism – are many. At NPR she was part of the team that built the foundation for our newsroom and led the way for women in journalism at NPR and across the industry. A student of American politics throughout her decades-long career, she brought insight and perspective to countless elections, debates, and policy decisions great and small for NPR audiences. Through Cokie’s voice, the twists and turns in American democracy came to life. A natural storyteller, she could vividly connect the events of today with the people and policies of the past, helping all of us better understand their significance and who we are as Americans.” In closing, I’ll follow Cokie’s advice to listeners and encourage you to support your public radio station. It’s through support like yours that her legacy will live on in the young journalists and producers of today. Thank you for your support and for listening on radio, online, on your smartphone, or wherever you may find us. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or comments at [email protected]. Christina Kuzmych WPM General Manager .