“Trailblazer” CNN Journalist Frances Lewine Dies

CNN’s Reliable Sources today paid tribute to Frances Lewine, a CNN field producer and assignment editor for almost thirty years, and the first woman to be the Associated Press’ full-time White House correspondent. Lewine died yesterday, at age 86, of what the AP says was a “probable stroke.”

“Lewine was regarded as a trailblazer who battled for women’s rights in journalism, fighting to open the National Press Club and the Gridiron Club — a Washington journalists’ organization — to women,” CNN’s website says.

Lewine joined CNN in 1981 and never retired. “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 is quoted on the network’s site. “All of journalism has lost a true pioneer.”

Today would have been Lewine’s 87th birthday.

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