Joan Ganz Cooney

Date of Birth: November 30, 1929

Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius

Biography

Joan Ganz Cooney is a renowned American television producer and co-founder of the Children’s Television Workshop (now Sesame Workshop), the organization behind the beloved children’s program, “Sesame Street.” Born on November 30, 1929, in Phoenix, Arizona, Cooney has made significant contributions to educational television, profoundly impacting children’s media. Cooney graduated from the University of Arizona with a degree in education. She initially pursued a career in journalism, working as a reporter for newspapers in Phoenix and later in public relations in New York City. In the early 1960s, she transitioned to television, producing documentaries for WNET, a public television station in New York. In 1966, Cooney conducted a study on the potential of television to educate young children, funded by the Carnegie Corporation. This study led to the creation of the Children’s Television Workshop in 1968, with Cooney as its executive director. The following year, “Sesame Street” premiered, revolutionizing children’s programming with its innovative use of puppetry, animation, and live-action segments designed to educate and entertain. Under Cooney’s leadership, Sesame Workshop expanded its mission, creating numerous educational programs and international adaptations. Her groundbreaking work has earned her numerous awards, including Emmy Awards, a Peabody Award, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

5 Interesting Facts about Joan Ganz Cooney

1. Joan Ganz Cooney was the first female executive producer in public television.

2. She was instrumental in founding the Children’s Television Workshop at a time when few educational programs for children existed.

3. “Sesame Street” was one of the first children’s shows to feature a racially diverse cast.

4. Cooney’s work on “Sesame Street” helped incorporate early childhood education research into television programming.

5. In 1995, she was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame for her contributions to television.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Joan Ganz Cooney

1. “It’s not whether children learn from television, but what children learn from television, because everything that children see on television is teaching them something.”

2. “I knew that television could teach, and I wanted to use it to make a difference.”

3. “The best way to get a child to learn is to make it fun.”

4. “The key to ‘Sesame Street’s’ success is its commitment to quality and its respect for children as learners.”

5. “Television can be a powerful tool for education when used thoughtfully and creatively.”