Kathy Willens, a pioneering photojournalist known for her work at The Associated Press, passed away at the age of 74 in her Brooklyn home after battling ovarian cancer. During her impressive 45-year career, Willens captured over 90,000 images that documented a wide array of significant events, from presidential moments to sports victories and human tragedies.
As one of AP’s earliest female staff photographers, Willens broke barriers and excelled in her field, specializing in sports photography. Her exceptional talent led her to cover major events such as six Olympics, 11 Super Bowls, and numerous NBA finals and World Series games. She was also recognized for her coverage of stories related to Florida’s Haitian and Cuban immigrants, which was later exhibited at the Historical Museum of Southern Florida in 2004.
Willens’ work extended beyond capturing moments in sports and news. She was dedicated to telling compelling stories, including an eight-month documentary series on mothers in New York state prisons. Her commitment to her craft and the ability to find the perfect moment in a photograph made her stand out among her peers.
Throughout her career, Willens received several journalism awards, including an Associated Press Managing Editors Award for Reportorial Excellence, as well as accolades from the Baseball Hall of Fame and Pro Football Hall of Fame photo competitions. She did not limit her passion for photography to her professional work, as she also shared her expertise by teaching photojournalism at New York University for many years.
Aside from her professional pursuits, Willens was an avid birder, often exploring Brooklyn’s Prospect Park to photograph birds. Her dedication to photography, storytelling, and sharing her knowledge leaves a lasting legacy in the journalism and photography communities.
A memorial service is being planned in Prospect Park by her nephew to honor Kathy Willens’ remarkable life and career.
