Phil Donahue

By Phyllis Chesler

Phil #Donahue was an excedingly gracious interviewer--and a very kind man. His wife, #Marlo Thomas, was just as kind. She and I were once in a CR group together long, long ago. Phil, (or Donahue as I knew him and as he was known), first flew me out to Dayton, Ohio, in the mid-1970s to talk about my book, “Women, Money, and Power” and he had me back again, I believe when he was already in New York City, to discuss my book “Mothers on Trial. The Battle for Custody and Divorce.” I had some of “my” mothers in the audience and he called upon each and every one. Donahue helped present my radical feminist ideas to the nation. He was one of the few the television hosts who actually seemed to have read the books he featured–no small feat. His programs lasted for an hour, the audience participation was extensive. I will never forget his enormous compassion, erudition, and simple, human warmth.  “Donahue”–please, please rest in peace. And Marlo: Please be comforted for your enormous loss.