Apr 04 Women's voices: three ways to get heard By Gwen Ifill I met a member of a dying breed this week. But I had to leave Washington and travel to Pittsburgh to do it. There, on the campus of Chatham University, I made the reacquaintance of Elsie Hillman, who has spent… Continue reading
Mar 28 Gwen's Take: The tyranny of heightened expectations By Gwen Ifill It is fascinating to watch the cloud of expectation that follows the president around. Obama supporters, somewhat emotionally deflated after five years of reality checks, still appear to expect him to confront dictators (without troops), end deportations (while protecting the… Continue reading
Mar 21 The perils of conventional wisdom – geopolitical edition By Gwen Ifill As I type this, cable news is playing mutely on the television on my desk. The “Breaking News” banner reads: “Officials: This is the best lead we have right now.”… Continue reading
Feb 28 Gwen's Take: The first 47 years By Gwen Ifill My producer alerted me earlier this week that Washington Week is celebrating its 47th birthday. Forty-seven does not seem to be particularly noteworthy, so I looked it up. Halle Berry, John Cusack and Janet Jackson are 47. So are Adam… Continue reading
Feb 20 Fire and ice: Clashes and competition on the global stage By Gwen Ifill News is what happens when you’re focusing on other things. Continue reading
Feb 14 Gwen's Take: Exposing stereotypes and reflecting reality By Gwen Ifill Day after day, we are exposed to sneakier outrages – images that reinforce stereotypes and suppress ambition, especially in young women. Stock photos used to illustrate advertising campaigns as well as news stories invariably show them submissive, half-naked or harried. Continue reading
Feb 07 Gwen's Take: Don't believe everything you see on 'Sherlock' By Gwen Ifill SPOILER ALERT: I am about to reveal at least one of the developments that unspooled on last week's finale of the brutally short season of "Sherlock" on PBS. In one scene, the bad guy –- an evil newspaper publisher who… Continue reading
Jan 31 Butterflies, rainbows and midterm realities By Gwen Ifill The State of the Union speech gives Washington a chance to reacquaint itself with ritual. When else do we need to know the name of the House doorkeeper? What other extended opportunity do we get to study the body language… Continue reading
Jan 24 Gwen's Take: Broad strokes and fine lines By Gwen Ifill Some years ago I was fortunate enough to land a reporting job at The Washington Post, which pretty much put me in a state of constant awe. Bob Woodward would dish up ice cream sundaes for anyone stuck working on… Continue reading
Jan 10 Gwen's Take: The art of the authentic apology By Gwen Ifill In many ways, it was a relief to hear New Jersey Governor Chris Christie declare he was apologetic, humiliated, embarrassed and sad after an odd tale of bridge and tunnel retribution exploded on his watch this week. "I had no… Continue reading