The Association for Women in Communications (AWC) was an American professional organization for women in the communications industry.Kopecki, Dawn (1996). "Makeover gives group new identity, no staff". The Washington Times. It was formed in 1996 when Women in Communication (aka Theta Sigma Phi) went defunct. AWC operated until it went defunct in 2023.
History Theta Sigma Phi, an honorary society for journalism, was established in 1909 at the University of Washington. By 1950, the group had grown to 47 campus chapters and 29 alumnae groups. In 1972, Theta Sigma Phi was renamed to Women in Communications, Inc. (WICI). WICI was dissolved in 1996.
The Association for Women in Communications was formed in 1997 as a new nonprofit organization that would continue the legacy of WICI. The Association for Women in Communication was overseen by a new board and was managed by Club Management Services in Springfield, Missouri. AWC ceased operations at the national level in 2023. Several of its chapters continued to operated as a local organization.
Activities The society's publication was Communiqué, an electronic newsletter. It presented the Clarion Award,ARTnews Wins a Clarion Award, in ARTnews 07/01/10. the Headliner Award, and The Matrix Awards. The latter two were originally initiated by Theta Sigma Phi.
Foundation The nonprofit AWC Matrix Foundation was established in 1998 as an educational affiliate. The AWC Matrix Foundation promoted the advancement of women in the communications profession by providing funds for education, research, and publications. The foundation's three initiatives were: Professional Certification Program – recognized excellence in all areas of communications; provided an opportunity to demonstrate communication and management skills and enhance employment/client potential. Edith Wortman First Amendment Award – honored professional communicators for their efforts relating to First Amendment issues. Barbara Erickson Scholarship Fund – allowed college students to attend the AWC National Professional Conference.
Chapters
Following are the chapters of the Association for Women in Communication, with active chapters indicated in bold and inactive chapters in italics.
ChapterCharter date and rangeLocationStatusBloomington/NormalBloomington, Illinois and Normal, IllinoisInactiveBGSU2011Bowling Green, KentuckyInactiveDetroitDetroit, MichiganInactive ?LubbockLubbock, TexasInactiveNew York19xx ?–1998New York City, New YorkWithdrew (local)Pittsburgh19xx ?Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaInactiveSan FranciscoInactiveSanta Barbara2006–2023Santa Barbara, CaliforniaWithdrew (local)SeattleSeattle, WashingtonInactiveSouth FloridaSouth FloridaInactiveSpringfield, IL1985–2023Springfield, IllinoisWithdrew (local)Springfield, MOSpringfield, MissouriInactiveTulsa19xx ?–2023Tulsa, OklahomaWithdrew (local)UW MadisonMadison, WisconsinInactive ?Washington, D.C. Metro AreaWashington, D.C.Inactive
Notable members
NameChapterNotabilityAwardsRita Cosbynews anchor for Fox News, MSNBC, and NewsmaxHeadliner Award 2002Margaret Larsonbroadcast journalist and television presenterHeadliner Award 2004Ann LiguoriSouth Floridasports broadcasterHeadliner Award 2001Lucile Saunders McDonaldPacific Northwestjournalist, historian, authorHeadliner Award 1959Harriet MonroeHonoraryPoet and founding publisher and editor of Poetry magazineLifetime Achievement Award 2001Hall of Fame 2003Gail Sheehyauthor, journalist, and lecturerHeadliner Award 2000Barbara SherauthorHeadliner Award 1998
References
External links
AWC Matrix Foundation official site Women in Communications, Inc. Records, 1915- from the Indiana Historical Society