Dear People For the American Way Member,
I am writing with heartbreaking news: our beloved founder Norman Lear has died.
Norman passed away at home, surrounded by family, on Tuesday night. We extend our condolences to Norman’s wife Lyn, their family, and all those who loved Norman—and that includes many People For the American Way supporters who never met Norman in person but were inspired by his love of country and his dedication to serving it.
If you would like to join us in sending condolences to Norman’s family, you can do so here. >>
Norman often said that there wasn’t a day that went by when he didn’t pick up the newspaper and think to himself, “Thank God for People For the American Way.” And that meant he was grateful for everyone like you, whose support has made it possible for us to advance truth, justice, and the American Way, and resist the forces of division and authoritarianism.
Norman always saw People For the American Way as a communal effort. “Pushing back on bigotry, resisting voter suppression, exposing extremism, making our communities safer—these are not things I can do effectively on my own,” he wrote recently, “But through People For the American Way, I partner with fellow Americans to defend our freedoms wherever and whenever they are at risk.”
I am grateful that Norman lived long enough to celebrate his 101st birthday, and to enjoy the many well-deserved tributes that flowed his way. He did enjoy them. And as soon as the celebrations were over, he was looking for the next way to make a difference.
Norman had an extraordinary impact on American culture through his visionary work in television as well as his public-spirited activism and philanthropy. And he never quit: almost 50 years after the launch of “All in the Family,” he set and then broke the record for oldest Emmy Award winner. It is both humbling and rewarding to be part of his legacy and share the responsibility for carrying it forward.
My colleagues and I are grieving the loss of our founder. We will honor him by continuing to advance the values to which he dedicated so much of his life.
I’ll let Norman have the last word. In a message to Americans delivered in a New York Times op ed published on his 100th birthday, he wrote, “This is our century, dear reader, yours and mine. Let us encourage one another with visions of a shared future. And let us bring all the grit and openheartedness and creative spirit we can muster to gather together and build that future.”
Thank you, Norman.
And thank you.
Svante
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