There is plenty to say about Cokie Roberts’ professional accomplishments: breaking stories and breaking barriers, winning the Edward R. Murrow award and winning an Emmy, telling with skill and grace the stories of the people — particularly the women — who shaped our nation’s story.

But the impact Roberts, who died last week of complications from breast cancer at age 75, had goes far beyond her impressive lifetime of achievement in journalism. Colleagues, especially young women in the news business who were fortunate enough to have crossed paths with her, all sing the same refrain: Cokie’s professional and personal kindness were unmatched.