Obit

Grabbed from Daily Sun.

Nurjahan Begum, 91

PIONEER FEMALE JOURNALIST Nurjahan Begum died Monday, May 23. She was 91.

Begum was widely regarded as the first female journalist of Bangladesh. She was the daughter of prominent journalist Mohammad Nasiruddin. In 1947, Nasiruddin founded the Begum Magazine, which was eventually edited by Begum. This magazine became the first women’s magazine in South Asia. (“Nurjahan Begum, veteran Bangladeshi female jounalist, dies at 91”)

Begum was dedicated to the magazine, which she edited for the last 65 years, until her death at 91 due to a respiratory system ailment.

Colleagues paid tribute to the passing of the longtime journalist. Seraul Islam Chowdhury, an English Literature professor in Dhaka University, lauded Begum’s passion and advocacy to write for women during the most dangerous times. “At that time women in our society didn’t dare to take their own photos. Begum brought major changes towards that attitude,” he said. (“Bangladesh’s first female journalist, Nurjahan Begum, dies at 91”)

Any Cabrera, 60

VETERAN JOURNALIST Any Cabrera died Monday, May 23. She was 60.

Cabrera was the editor of the Associated Press’ Latin American news service based in Mexico City. She  covered many of the biggest stories in Latin America during her 33-year service as a reporter and editor for the AP.

Cabrera had been complaining of feeling poorly since Sunday. The following day, Cabrera passed away due to a heart attack.

Cabrera began working for AP in 1983 during the onset of the civil war in El Salvador. In 1992, after the end of the war, Cabrera was assigned to report from Brazil. She covered monumental stories including the transition of South America to democracy after decades of dictatorship. At the turn of the millennium, she was assigned to Mexico to edit AP’s Spanish-language news desk. (“Any Cabrera, veteran AP LatAm editor, reporter, dies at 60”)

Friends and colleagues mourned the passing of Cabrera. Paul Haven, AP news director for Latin America and Caribbean, remembered Cabrera as a good leader. “Any was the calm voice of reason on the other end of the line, the unflappable editor who always knew what had to be done next. She was loved and admired by everybody.”

Cabrera is survived by her brother.