Women's Press Club of New York State to Honor Journalists at June 10 Annual Awards and Scholarship Dinner

ALBANY, NY (05/31/2012)(readMedia)-- The Women's Press Club of New York State (WPC) will award three journalists with its highest honors on Sunday evening, June 10, 2012, at the WPC Annual Awards and Scholarship Dinner at the Marriott Hotel in Albany. New York Times Executive Editor Jill Abramson will be inducted into the WPC Hall of Honor; Daily Gazette Managing Editor Judy Patrick will receive the Award for Excellence in Career Achievement; and the Times Union's "Proudly Out" blogger Libby Post will receive the Award for Media Person of the Year. The WPC will also present its Annual Scholarship to local Saint Rose student Lauren M. Halligan, and at the same time recognize the ongoing support of founding member Betty Flood Morrow by officially renaming the annual scholarship in her honor.

Given the popularity of the honorees, the WPC has decided to open ticket sales to the public through Friday, June 1st. Reservations may be made through the website at www.womenspressclubnys.com.

"It is an honor for the Women's Press Club of New York State to recognize the significant contributions of these women," said Deborah Sturm Rausch, President of the WPC. "We are particularly pleased to be inducting Jill Abramson into the Hall of Honor during her first year as The Times' Executive Editor in recognition of her glass ceiling-breaking accomplishment. As the first female to hold this position, her success further paves the way for women to ascend to the highest levels of management in prestigious outlets worldwide. Ms. Abramson and all our honorees merit our highest honors. The successful battles they fought for access, respect and recognition have helped to raise the bar and create new standards in our field."

"To be inducted into the Hall of Honor is a great privilege," said Ms. Abramson. "I'm honored to be among its extraordinary members and to be a part of this distinguished organization with such a worthwhile mission."

Jill Abramson was named Executive Editor of The New York Times in September 2011. Ms. Abramson serves in the highest ranking position in The Times' newsroom and oversees the paper's digital and print operations. Prior to being named Executive Editor, Ms. Abramson was The Times' Managing Editor from August 2003 until August 2011. She joined The New York Times in 1997, was named Washington bureau chief in December 2000 and served in that position until July 2003. Prior to joining The Times, Ms. Abramson worked at The Wall Street Journal from 1988 to 1997. While there, she served as deputy bureau chief in its Washington, D.C., bureau and investigative reporter, covering money and politics. Ms. Abramson has been named to Forbes' list of the World's Most Powerful Women. She is a noted author of several books, and has been an outspoken advocate on behalf of women. In 1986, she co-authored her first book, "Where They Are Now: The Story of the Women of Harvard Law 1974," which portrayed the difficulties that female lawyers confronted in their careers at that time. The Hall of Honor is the WPC's highest award, and recognizes individuals for their distinction, excellence and integrity in journalism and for lifetime accomplishment. Barbara Walters was inducted into the WPC Hall of Honor in 2011.

Judy Patrick started at The Gazette in 1982 as a reporter in the Amsterdam bureau and has, over the years, worked in the Saratoga Springs, Ballston Spa and Mechanicville bureaus. Eventually, she moved to the Schenectady office, where she has at various times worked as day city editor, assistant city editor, an arts reporter and editor and a reporter assigned to the Sunday paper. Ms. Patrick is currently President of the New York State Associated Press Association, which represents newspaper members of the Associated Press. She is a graduate of the University at Albany with a degree in English literature. The Award for Excellence in Career Achievement recognizes a person whose body of work has been consistent and has inspired others. Last year's award was presented to MSNBC news anchor and correspondent Chris Jansing (née Kapostasy).

"Journalism has a long tradition of offering women great challenges and great opportunities," said Patrick. "I'm especially grateful to be involved now, as journalism rapidly evolves into something stronger and sharper."

Libby Post is well-known for her more than 30 years of service to the field of journalism and her advocacy and reporting on behalf of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. She is currently the LGBT blogger for the Albany Times Union with her "Proudly Out" column. Post was a nationally syndicated columnist on LGBT issues and was the LGBT commentator on WAMC Northeast Public Radio for five years. She served as President of the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society from 2010 to 2012 and now serves as President of Congregation Ohav Shalom in Albany. Post holds a Master's Degree in Political Communications and a Bachelor's in Political Science and Journalism from the University at Albany. WPC's Media Person of the Year is recognized for the accomplishments of a person who is active in print or broadcast journalism in New York State. Last year's award went to All Over Albany's Founder and Editor Mary Darcy.

"Writing about the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community is the culmination of over 30 years of activism," said Post. "To be recognized by the Women's Press Club is truly an honor at a time when issues such as marriage equality make headlines across the country."

The WPC is pleased to announce the renaming of its annual scholarship as the Betty Flood Morrow Women's Press Club of NYS Scholarship. Ms. Flood Morrow was one of the founding members of the WPC, and has had a distinguished media career in the Capital District. She has been President of Cuyler News Service of Albany, NY, since 1961. Betty was a reporter for WRGB in 1963 and was the first woman to cover the Legislature for television. She wrote, produced, directed and edited four segments per week of "Saratoga Style" for WTEN, covering horse racing, homes, celebrities, galas and fashion. Ms. Flood Morrow is an active member of numerous Capital Region organizations and has been involved in the Legislative Correspondents Association since 1971. Flood Morrow helped to create the WPC Annual Scholarship, which was first awarded in 1967. The scholarship is awarded annually to a New Yorker who is enrolled as a full-time student majoring in journalism/communications in a college or university located in New York State. The WPC has awarded more than 60 scholarships to deserving students with exemplary records of study and a commitment to a career in the communications field.

"I am so pleased and humbled by the decision of the Board to name this scholarship in my honor," said Flood Morrow said. "It has always been my goal to support and mentor young people who are interested in the field of journalism and communications. This scholarship has, since its inception, provided that support for students who are now working in the field. It is a living legacy of this organization which is so close to my heart, and I hope it continues long into the future."

The first Betty Flood Morrow Women's Press Club of NYS Scholarship will be presented to Lauren M. Halligan, a junior Communications major with a journalism concentration at The College of Saint Rose. Halligan, who is from Galway, NY, is the Features Editor of the student newspaper, The Chronicle, and is on the Dean's List for the Spring 2012 semester. Before arriving at Saint Rose, Halligan earned her associate degree from Schenectady County Community College where she also wrote for the college newsletter, The Binnekill. She was inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society in 2011. Halligan has aspired to be a print journalist since middle school, and says she "is honored to receive the annual Women's Press Club scholarship." She will receive a check for $1,000 from the WPC in support of her journalism education. Last year's scholarship was presented to Syracuse University's Sarah J. Capper.

Individual reservations for the event are available to the general public at $50.00 per person. Reservations are available for tables of 10 for $400. The deadline to reserve tickets is Monday, June 4. Further information regarding member discounts, meal selections and reservation forms may be found on the WPCNYS website at www.womenspressclubnys.com. All reservations must include name, address, phone number and e-mail, as well as meal selections, to be valid. All reservations are final. No refunds are available.

About the Women's Press Club of New York State, Inc.

The Women's Press Club of New York State, Inc. is a nonprofit organization formed in 1966 by a small group of women journalists committed to supporting women in journalism and communications. Today, the organization's members include women and men who work for radio and television stations, newspapers, government agencies, nonprofit organizations and private companies, as well as freelance writers, entrepreneurs and students. The WPCNYS provides support, professional development, programming, mentoring and networking opportunities for New Yorkers in the field.

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Posted Thursday May 31, 2012 at 02:49 pm by The Women's Press Club of New York State