Joan Ganz Cooney

Creator/producer, Sesame Street

What is Joan Ganz Cooney known for?

Born on November 30, 1929 in the sunny city of Phoenix, Arizona, Joan Ganz Cooney is a renowned American television writer and producer. A proud alumna of North High School in Phoenix, Arizona, she embarked on a path solidifying her legacy in education and entertainment. Ganz continued her education at the University of Arizona and successfully graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1951.

Following a stint at the State Department in Washington, D.C., and a career as a journalist in Phoenix, Cooney shifted to New York City where she worked as a publicist for TV and production companies. It was there in 1961 that she found her passion for educational television and started work as a documentary producer for WNET, New York's first educational TV station. Her brilliant work garnered many local Emmy awards.

Her journey towards creating iconic educational content took a significant turn in 1966, when a dinner party at her apartment led to discussions about the potential of television as a learning tool for young children. Consequently, Cooney was chosen to direct and oversee the birth of one of the most popular children's television programs ever - Sesame Street, which premiered in 1969.

Cooney was also instrumental in founding Sesame Workshop (formerly known as Children's Television Workshop or CTW), the organization responsible for Sesame Street's production. Her appointment as CTW's first executive director was heralded as one of the most important developments in television during that decade. She continued to serve in this role until 1990, after which she chaired the CTW's executive board.

Respected for her contributions and leadership, Joan Ganz Cooney has received numerous awards and honorary degrees. The Sesame Workshop even established The Joan Ganz Cooney Center in 2007 to honor her incredible impact on children's educational television.

In her early life, Joan Ganz was an active participant in school plays at North High School, Phoenix, and was heavily influenced by the teachings of her teacher Bud Brown who ignited her passion for civil rights, poverty, the importance of a free press, and the dangers of antisemitism in Europe. Following her high school, she attended an all-girls Catholic college Dominican College in San Rafael, California, and later transferred to the University of Arizona.

Joan Ganz Cooney's unwavering dedication to educational television has indeed left a lasting impression on generations of children worldwide, with Sesame Street standing as a testament to her remarkable vision.