Association for Women in Communications

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Association for Women in Communications
AbbreviationAWC
Formation1997; 28 years ago (1997)
Founded atUniversity of Washington
Dissolved2023
TypeNonprofit
Headquarters4730 S. National Avenue, Suite A1
Location
Membership3,000 (2022)
Publication
the Communiqué
AwardThe Matrix Awards
Websitewww.womcom.org
Formerly called
Theta Sigma Phi (ΘΣΦ)
Women in Communications, Inc.

The Association for Women in Communications (AWC) was an American professional organization for women in the communications industry.[1][2][3] It was formed in 1996 when Women in Communication (aka Theta Sigma Phi) went defunct. AWC operated until it went defunct in 2023.

History

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Theta Sigma Phi, an honorary society for journalism, was established in 1909 at the University of Washington.[1][3][4] 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).[1][3] 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.[1][2][3][5][6] 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.[7][8] Several of its chapters continued to operated as a local organization.[7][8]

Activities

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The society's publication was Communiqué, an electronic newsletter. It presented the Clarion Award,[9][10] the Headliner Award,[11] and The Matrix Awards.[12][13] The latter two were originally initiated by Theta Sigma Phi.[11][12]

Foundation

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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

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Following are the chapters of the Association for Women in Communication, with active chapters indicated in bold and inactive chapters in italics.[14]

Chapter Charter date and range Location Status References
Bloomington/Normal Bloomington, Illinois and Normal, Illinois Inactive
BGSU 2011 Bowling Green, Kentucky Inactive [15]
Detroit Detroit, Michigan Inactive ? [16]
Lubbock Lubbock, Texas Inactive [17]
New York 19xx ?–1998 New York City, New York Withdrew (local) [18][a]
Pittsburgh 19xx ? Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Inactive [19]
San Francisco Inactive [11]
Santa Barbara 2006–2023 Santa Barbara, California Withdrew (local) [8]
Seattle Seattle, Washington Inactive
South Florida South Florida Inactive [20]
Springfield, IL 1985–2023 Springfield, Illinois Withdrew (local) [21]
Springfield, MO Springfield, Missouri Inactive
Tulsa 19xx ?–2023 Tulsa, Oklahoma Withdrew (local) [7]
UW Madison Madison, Wisconsin Inactive ? [22]
Washington, D.C. Metro Area Washington, D.C. Inactive [23]
  1. ^ Chapter withdrew and became the New York Women in Communications, Inc., a local organization.

Notable members

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Name Chapter Notability Awards References
Rita Cosby news anchor for Fox News, MSNBC, and Newsmax Headliner Award 2002 [11]
Margaret Larson broadcast journalist and television presenter Headliner Award 2004 [11]
Ann Liguori South Florida sports broadcaster Headliner Award 2001 [11]
Harriet Monroe Honorary Poet and founding publisher and editor of Poetry magazine Lifetime Achievement Award 2001
Hall of Fame 2003
Gail Sheehy author, journalist, and lecturer Headliner Award 2000 [11]
Barbara Sher author Headliner Award 1998 [11]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Burt, Elizabeth V. (2000). Women's Press Organizations, 1881-1999. Greenwood Publishing Group. pp. 11–20. ISBN 9780313306617. Retrieved November 30, 2012.
  2. ^ a b Kopecki, Dawn (1996). "Makeover gives group new identity, no staff". The Washington Times.
  3. ^ a b c d Sterling, Christopher H. (2003). Encyclopedia of Radio. Taylor & Francis. pp. 177–179. ISBN 9781579582494. Retrieved November 30, 2012.
  4. ^ "Journalism Sorority has a large program". University Daily Kansan. Lawrence, Kansas. 14 May 1920. p. 1. Retrieved November 23, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "The Association for Women in Communications Celebrates 100 Years of Championing Women in Communications". Women's Health Weekly via HighBeam Research. 2009. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved November 30, 2012. (subscription required)
  6. ^ Bulkeley, Christy C (2004). Whose news? Progress and status of women in newspapers (mostly) and television news. - Seeking Equity for Women in Journalism and Mass Communication Education: a 30-year update. Taylor & Francis. pp. 183–204. ISBN 9781135624002. Retrieved November 30, 2012.
  7. ^ a b c "History of The Association for Women in Communications". Association for Women in Communications Tulsa. Retrieved 2025-11-21.
  8. ^ a b c "AWC-SB – OUR STORY". AWC Santa Barbara. 2017-06-16. Retrieved 2025-11-21.
  9. ^ ARTnews Wins a Clarion Award, in ARTnews 07/01/10.
  10. ^ "About Clarion Awards". The Association for Women in Communications. Retrieved August 3, 2017.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h "Headliner Award". The Association for Women in Communications. 2022-02-27. Archived from the original on 2025-02-23. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
  12. ^ a b "Overview: The Annual NYWICI Matrix Awards". New York Women in Communications, Inc. Retrieved August 3, 2017.
  13. ^ "May 14, 2009--Michelle Singletary and Kate Perrin to Receive 2009 Matrix Awards for Professional Achievements". www.awcdc.net. Archived from the original on 2012-02-27.
  14. ^ "Find a Chapter". The Association for Women in Communications. 2022-02-15. Retrieved 2025-02-22.
  15. ^ "Association for Women in Communications". Bowling Green State University. Retrieved 2025-11-21.
  16. ^ "About Us". AWC Detroit. Retrieved 2025-02-22.
  17. ^ "About". Association for Women in Communication Lubbock. Retrieved 2025-02-22.
  18. ^ Wyeth, Deirdre. "Our History". NYWICI. Retrieved 2025-11-22.
  19. ^ "PG Sweeps Matrix Awards". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. 1999-04-23. p. 38. Retrieved 2025-11-22.
  20. ^ "Home". Women in Communications South Florida. Retrieved 2025-02-22.
  21. ^ "Home". Association for Women in Communications Springfield Missouri. Retrieved 2025-11-21.
  22. ^ "Association for Women in Communications Madison". University of Wisconsin-Madison. Retrieved 2025-11-21.
  23. ^ "May 14, 2009--Michelle Singletary and Kate Perrin to Receive 2009 Matrix Awards for Professional Achievements". www.awcdc.net. Archived from the original on 2012-02-27.
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