A Tribute to Molly Ivins

Molly Ivins was sui generis-one of a kind. She was a straight-shooter with colorful language. She saw the fun and absurdity of politics and politicians. No one has covered a Statehouse and legislature with more insight or cheer. As a friend, she was always collecting interesting people-and dinner at Molly’s left you laughing and wondering whether “off the record” was overrated.

I first met her in New York in the ’70s-an invitation to join her friends for a raft trip down the Middle Fork of the Salmon River made me a lifelong friend and fan. She made the smallest event hilarious-and underneath there was a caring heart as big as Texas.

Donna E. Shalala is president of the University of Miami.