Evelyn Y. Davis, Journalism Institute Benefactor, Dies at 89

The National Press Club Journalism Institute (NPCJI) mourns the death of Evelyn Y. Davis, editor and publisher of an investor newsletter whose philanthropy benefited nonprofit journalism organizations.

Davis died in Washington on Sunday, Nov. 4, at 89. She achieved fame as a shareholder who demanded that corporations show transparency and accountability. She attended –- and often disrupted -- shareholder meetings for more than 50 years and insisted that company CEOs subscribe to her newsletter.

The Evelyn Y. Davis Foundation granted $107,000 to the NPCJI in 2018 to support programs examining barriers to press freedom in the United States and abroad. "We are very grateful for the support of her foundation for our press freedom programs," said Barbara Cochran, NPCJI president. "Journalism has lost a good friend and lifelong supporter of transparency and accountability."

The next scheduled event supported by the grant is a Dec. 7 luncheon featuring a conversation between Marty Baron, executive editor of The Washington Post, and Alan Rusbridger, former editor of The Guardian and author of a new book, "Breaking News: the Remaking of Journalism and Why It Matters Now."