Maria exits Sesame Street

Sonia Manzano never got the same credit for helping raise your children that other characters on Sesame Street did.

She’s won 15 Emmys for her work.

For 44 years — 44 years! — she’s played Maria on Sesame Street. Now, she’s calling it quits.

This week she revealed plans for retirement, and reflected on her contribution to our education — that people of color could be on TV.

For the record, it was “Maria” who told Big Bird that Mr. Hooper was dead.

It’s not clear whether Sesame Street will work her retirement into the show.