Happy Birthday Joan Ganz Cooney

Armed only with a few of Jim Henson's Muppets and a dream, Joan Ganz Cooney revolutionized the way children were educated, demonstrating in just a few short years the integral part television can play in child literacy and numeracy if used correctly...

Born on this day in 1929, Cooney admits to a shy childhood (which she mainly spent reading books) and a happy adolescence.

Proving the formula Luck=Imagination+Timing, Cooney managed to become involved with the Corporation for Public Broadcasting at its inception; as founder of the Children's Television Workshop, Cooney is responsible for the creation of such classic kids shows as the aforementioned Sesame Street and The Electric Company.

Sesame Street remains the gold standard in children's entertainment; now into its 41st season (it debuted in November 1969, just like me) with more than 4200 episodes to its credit, the show continues to grow and inspire children, bold and shy alike, to build their own happy adolescence.
*