Ruth Gutman (right) with staff and guests at the 2015 NYWIFT Muse Awards, including Josefa Jaime, Katie Chambers, and Grace Blake.
Dear NYWIFT Community,
We were saddened to learn of the recent passing of former NYWIFT Board Member Ruth Gutman. A graduate of Northwestern University’s Communications program, Ruth enjoyed a successful career in New York in advertising and production as a producer, writer, and director. Her work appeared on CNN, PBS’s Inside Story, and commercials for Ogilvy & Mather, to name just a few. She worked in both the U.S. and abroad in Europe, and her work won awards at Chicago International Film Festival, New York Festival International, US International Film Festival, and the Clio Award for advertising, design, and communication. She was also a longtime animal lover, well known for her devotion to her pets.
Ruth Gutman (right) with NYWIFT Board Member Kathryn O’Kane at the 2016 NYWIFT Designing Women Awards.
Ruth was a NYWIFT member for decades, and could be seen at the NYWIFT softball games in the 1980s, as well as at the Muse Awards as recently as 2019. We thank her for her longtime dedication to our organization and to the advancement of women in media. She will be missed.
Gloria Rojas reporting for ABC 7
NYWIFT also wanted to recognize the passing of Gloria Rojas, who was billed as New York City’s first Latina broadcast journalist when she was hired by WCBS-TV in 1968, and who went on to work as a journalist for every major network affiliate in the city for 23 years. A native New Yorker, Gloria was, as ABC7 beautifully put it, “a no-nonsense, street-smart reporter [who] distinguished herself for her sympathetic and concerned treatment of stories, earning numerous community and broadcast awards.” You can read more about her legacy here.
We are grateful to both Ruth and Gloria for their contributions to our industry, and to moving the dial forward for inclusion in media.
Sincerely,
Cynthia Lopez
Executive Director, NYWIFT
