Susan Sternberg, who is often recognized as NPR’s “founding mother” and the first woman to host a national news program, has passed away at the age of 87.
NPR confirmed her death occurred on Thursday, though they did not specify a cause.
Sternberg joined NPR in the early ’70s, a pivotal time when the network was growing its reach across the country.
Throughout her career, she interviewed countless individuals—from famous politicians and artists to lesser-known personalities like White House chefs and Hollywood’s behind-the-scenes staff.
In a recent oral history interview with KLCC, she recalled her experience hosting “All Things Thoughted” in 1972, noting that there weren’t any women to emulate at the station.
“I had to imitate the men,” she shared, reflecting on how she initially altered her voice for authority. A few days in, program manager Bill Siemering encouraged her to simply be herself.
“That was different at the time. The other women had polished accents and very careful speech, which didn’t feel natural,” she explained. “So we pioneered a new sound for NPR.”
Co-worker Jack Mitchell observed that she had a “distinct New York accent.”
The show “All Things Considered” only had a handful of reporters to tackle a 90-minute segment, leading to daily challenges.
Sternberg mentioned that she coined the term “founding mother” to reference herself among other pioneering women at NPR, including Cokie Roberts and Nina Totenberg.
“I grew tired of hearing only about the Founding Fathers, and it was high time we put our mark on that,” she stated.
Sternberg hosted “All Things Thoughted” for 14 years, later leading “Weekend Edition Sunday,” where she initiated a puzzle segment with Will Shortz.
Shortz, who is now also the crossword editor for the New York Times, noted Sternberg envisioned the show as a radio counterpart to the Sunday newspaper, encompassing news, culture, sports, and puzzles.
She also transitioned into a cultural correspondent role for “Morning Edition” and “Weekend Edition Saturday” before her retirement in September.
In 1979, she hosted a two-hour call-in show with then-President Jimmy Carter from the Oval Office, managing live questions from the audience without pre-screening.
Sternberg, celebrated for her conversational style and ability to find engaging stories, was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame. She interviewed a variety of notable figures, such as Nancy Reagan and Rosa Parks.
In 2020, she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Born Susan Levitt in 1938 in Newark, New Jersey, she spent her childhood in Manhattan and later met her husband, Louis Sternberg, while working in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
She is survived by her son, Josh Sternberg, and her granddaughters, Vivian and Lena.
