Summer 2021 Vol. 83, No.4

gendagendaQuarterly Newsletter of the AA National Federation of Press Women Inside this issue: ● President’s message . . . 2 ● COA winner . . . 3 ● Sweepstakes winner . . . 8 ● We remember . . . 11 ● Invite to Nebraska . . . 12 ● Site for 2022 announced . . . 14 ● Just a thought . . . 15

New Mexico’s Sherri Burr NFPW 2021 COA President’s Message: Going forward

By Karen Rowley were interesting and engaging, and the number of NFPW President members who attended was truly gratifying because Like many of you, I first joined NFPW at the none of us was quite sure what to expect. urging of a colleague to enter the communi- Going forward, I’d like NFPW to focus on four areas. cations contest. That was 20 years ago — and I have to The first is our advocacy for a free press and the First admit, I never contemplated the possibility that I would Amendment. As we have seen over the past several stay with the organization this long, much less serve as years, both a free press and the First Amendment are president one day. more critical than ever in our highly opinionated, sharply But here I am, and it’s a direct result of the many divided society. We’re going to be exploring some accomplished, dedicated, interesting members I’ve met concrete actions NFPW can take to further these goals, through the years. I’ve been both inspired by them and and I welcome any thoughts any of you might have. encouraged by their support. The second is the organization’s place in our rapidly There’s a sense of symmetry for me in being elected changing and evolving communications field. Together president this year. The first NFPW conference I attended with the board, I want to spend some time reimagining was in Indianapolis in 2001. That conference was scheduled and retooling NFPW a bit so that it remains relevant, to start Sept. 13 — which turned out to be two days after valuable and true to its core values as we move into the 9/11. The incomprehensible tragedy left the board — led future. That includes looking at such things as how we by the late Vivian Sadowski of Kansas — with the difficult can increase membership, provide more useful resources decision about whether to proceed with the conference. for members and make better use of our social media For many reasons, they decided to go ahead, and presence. despite all the obstacles, a large number of members The third is encouraging young people to pursue managed to make it to Indianapolis. I remember being mass communications as a career and younger communi- incredibly impressed by the tenacity and the creativity of cations professionals to stay in the field. I want to continue these women and men, and by their willingness to adapt NFPW’s efforts in this area because the future of the to the situation and make it work. communications field and the role it plays in our society Twenty years and many conferences later, I found will be dependent on the younger generation. myself part of a board faced with a similarly difficult Finally, next year — 2022 — will be NFPW’s 85th decision — whether (and how) to proceed with the 2021 anniversary. That’s a tremendous milestone, and I think conference. Again, for many reasons, we decided to go we should celebrate it appropriately when we meet in ahead with the conference — albeit virtually — and it is a Fargo, North Dakota, for our conference. So, the board testament once more, I think, to the tenacity, the creativity and I will be working to come up with a plan for that. If and the willingness to adapt that NFPW members have any of you have any thoughts or suggestions about such a consistently shown. celebration, please feel free to share them with us. Indeed, Arkansas Press Women displayed all of those I’m grateful to have the privilege of serving as traits in the just-concluded Little Rock conference as they NFPW’s 45th president, and I look forward to working shifted gears from planning for an in-person meeting to with and for all of you over the next two years. organizing a virtual meeting. The conference sessions

New Mexico Press Women’s Sherri Burr was named the NFPW 2021 Communicator of Achievement On the Cover: during the virtual conference in June. Please read more about this extraordinary woman’s life and ca- reer starting on page 3 of this issue of Agenda.

Agenda / Summer 2021 / Page 2 2021 COA embraces ‘sisterhood’ of NFPW

By Karen Stensrud students about entertainment law; COA Director the award-winning show ran from Each year — whether in person, or 1998 to 2015 in New Mexico and as the past two years have required, Hawaii. virtually — NFPW members take time She wrote a weekly column for during our Communicator of Achieve- the Albuquerque Tribune, published ment (COA) celebration to hear about travel articles in the Albuquerque the tremendous professional and Journal and continues to write personal accomplishments of each columns for the Southwest Sage. nominee. This year was no exception Burr is serving her second term as we presented 10 inspiring nomi- as president of New Mexico Press nees, each of them a standout Women and has spoken on media honored as their affiliate’s 2021 and law to her affiliate and at NFPW Communicator of Achievement . conferences. As we recapped a few details She has served on the boards of Sherri Burr about the runner-up and winner before Albuquerque Arts and Albuquerque officially revealing their names, emotion began to build Public Arts, and is a member of the Albuquerque Muse- for Sherri Burr. Moments later, Burr, a member of New um board of trustees, the Authors Guild Foundation Mexico Press Women, was announced as the 2021 NFPW board of directors and the Aaron Burr Association board Communicator of Achievement. of directors. She is also a member of the New Mexico “I thought these women were absolutely amazing,” Black Lawyers Association and SouthWest Writers. Burr said of this year’s COA class. “Any one of them could Burr’s first history book, “Complicated Lives: Free win. When Karen Stensrud started discussing the win- Blacks in Virginia, 1691-1865,” was published in 2019 and ner’s background, I realized she was talking about me. By nominated for a Pulitzer Prize in history. While research- the time she was finished, I was openly weeping. I just ing the book, she delved further into her family roots, couldn’t believe I’d won such a prestigious award.” finding she was a direct descendant of Aaron Burr, a In her remarks as newly announced COA, Burr politician and lawyer who served as vice president of the acknowledged the “sisterhood” of her affiliate and United States under Thomas Jefferson. NFPW. The term seemed especially appropriate, given Burr noted that the first NFPW conference she the ways in which family connections are intertwined attended was in 2007 in Richmond, Virginia, where with several of Burr’s notable accomplishments. former Gov. Doug Wilder, a descendant of enslaved people, was the keynote speaker. Law professor, author and journalist “I was impressed that NFPW put together a multicul- Burr, who grew up in Phoenix, graduated from Mount tural event celebrating Virginia’s diverse heritage,” Burr Holyoke College and went on to complete a joint graduate said. It was only later, thanks to research she did while degree program, earning her masters in public affairs attending the conference in Salt Lake City, that Burr from Princeton University and her juris doctorate from discovered her paternal ancestors had lived as Free Yale Law School. She taught for three decades at the Blacks and owned property just south of Richmond. University of New Mexico Law School and wrote more That’s part of why, Burr added, she looks forward to greet- than two dozen law books. She also created, produced and hosted “Arts Talk,” a television program to teach (Continued on page 4)

Agenda / Summer 2021 / Page 3 Also fitting, and “particularly poignant” for Burr, was 2021 COA . . . that the award came at the culmination of the conference (Continued from page 3) hosted by our Arkansas affiliate. ing her Press Women sisters (and brothers) at confer- “I consider myself a daughter and granddaughter of ences and learning about their lives in other states. Hope, Arkansas,” Burr explained, “from which my Burr said the NFPW Communicator of Achievement maternal family moved in the 1950s.” Award is very meaningful, representing “recognition by my Press Women sisters (and brothers) that I have suc- Mary Jane Skala, COA Runner-up ceeded in the communications field as an author, journal- Nebraska Press Women ist, broadcaster and leader.” NFPW’s 2021 COA runner-up The fifth New Mexican to receive the honor, Burr said was Mary Jane Skala of Kearney, it “meant a great deal to me after what has been a Nebraska, an award-winning difficult decade since my only full brother became severely newspaper editor and reporter. ill and then passed away.” For 20 years, Skala was a senior editor at the Sun News, the sub- urban arm of the Cleveland Plain What is the Communicator Dealer, and was named one of Ohio’s Top Ten Journalists. She Mary Jane Skala of Achievement award? worked at the Kearney Hub for three years before serving as a Each year at its annual communications confer- volunteer coordinator at Ghost Ranch Education and Re- ence, the National Federation of Press Women treat Center in New Mexico, returning to the Hub as a names a communicator of achievement. reporter and columnist in 2017. She has won numerous The award, the highest honor bestowed by NFPW awards, including the sweepstakes award of the NFPW, is given to members who have distinguished themselves within and beyond their profession. communication contest. The national winner is chosen by an independent Our other amazing COA nominees were Jane Falany, panel of judges from nominees presented by state Alabama Media Professionals; Marie Fasano, Arizona affiliates based on exceptional achievement in the Professional Writers; Tammy Keith, Arkansas Press communications field, service to NFPW and impact in Women; Karen Petersen, Colorado Press Women; the community. Roxane Ferguson, Delaware Press Association; Beth Each year, the COA and runner-up are announced Bower, Kansas Professional Communicators; Tammy at the Communicator of Achievement Award Ban- Fogle, North Dakota Professional Communicators; and quet during NFPW’s annual conference. All the nomi- Patty Kruszewski, Virginia Professional Communicators. nees are recognized and honored at the banquet be- Their bios can be found starting on page 5. fore the winner is announced.

Send submissions for Agenda to: Editor Cathy Koon at [email protected] September 10 is the deadline for the next issue of Agenda, due out October 1

Agenda / Summer 2021 / Page 4 Competition for COA award was tough: Here are the other candidates

Congratulations to all of these accomplished NFPW A licensed pilot, Marie had opportunities to fly in to professionals, each named her state affiliate’s 2021 airports, both to visit clients as an RN and to write travel Communicator of Achievement. stories for aviation publications. In her volunteer work, she flew to clinics in Mexico. Jane Falany Marie has published books in the health care field Alabama Media Professionals about the study of aging and a memoir of her mother, Jane N. Falany spent most “Tessie’s Tales.” She edited two nationwide magazines of her career at Southern and wrote numerous articles for newspapers and maga- Company, where she worked zines, often focusing on an individual’s unique story. in public relations at Alabama A frequent NFPW communications contest award Power Co. and Southern winner, Marie writes a column called “Roaming the Rim” Nuclear Operating Co. from for the Payson Roundup. 1982 to 2005. After retiring from Alabama Power, Jane Tammy Keith was an adjunct instructor at Arkansas Press Women the University of Alabama Tammy Keith of Conway, Jane Falany and Samford University. Arkansas, has more than 36 Jane is a published author who has worked as a free- years of experience as a news- lance writer since 2005 and is a contract editor. A 40-year paper reporter, columnist and member of Alabama Media Professionals (AMP) and editor. NFPW, Jane currently serves as NFPW treasurer. Jane is A cum laude journalism also a former president of AMP, which named her its graduate of Arkansas State Communicator of Achievement in 1993 and again in University, Tammy started at 2021. Jane has a passion for community service and has age 20 at The Jonesboro Sun, worked with local and statewide nonprofit organizations, later working at the Log Cabin including United Way of Central Alabama and the Ala- Democrat in Conway, the Tammy Keith bama chapter of the American Cancer Society. Arkansas Democrat-Gazette in Little Rock and a statewide magazine. Marie Fasano During her career, Tammy has covered everything Arizona Professional Writers from Big Foot to tornadoes and school shootings. A 12- Born in New York, Marie A. time winner of the Arkansas Press Women communica- Fasano now lives in Arizona. As a tions contest sweepstakes, Tammy is also a three-time nurse, she worked in hospitals NFPW sweepstakes winner and four-time runner-up. and home health agencies and as Tammy retired in 2019 to devote more time to being a nursing instructor. Marie an active grandmother — while continuing her writing published her first article in 1976 career as a freelance journalist and volunteer judge for and continued as a writer and journalism contests. photojournalist alongside her nursing career. (Continued on page 6) Marie Fasano

Agenda / Summer 2021 / Page 5 COA candidates for 2021 . . .

(Continued from page 5) which far-reaching chamber success rests. She’s created Delaware and NFPW award-winning Karen Pochert Petersen newsletters, postcards, brochures and media advisories, Colorado Press Women a substantial business directory and community guide, Karen Petersen, a CPW videos, ad campaigns and the website for the Chamber. member since 2010, boldly An effective change agent, Roxane has launched champions environmental and nonprofits, leadership and networking groups, and social change. Karen thought Delaware’s first business incubator and collaborative about resigning as communica- work space (which generated 57 businesses, 197 new jobs tions strategist for the National and $37 million in state revenue). Roxane’s longtime ser- Renewable Energy Laboratory vice to Rotary International includes co-hosting a weekly (NREL) when the past admin- radio show on community concerns, raising funds for a istration forbade the use of barrier-free playground for children of all abilities and phrases such as “climate Karen Petersen volunteering with area senior communities. change.” Instead, she stayed, Roxane is honorary commander for the Delaware finding workarounds to convey critical messages without National Guard and Dover Air Force Base airlift wings. raising ire.

Indeed, communicating messages in compelling, engaging and accessible prose has been a hallmark of her Beth Bower work at NREL — where she established a still-active writers’ Kansas Professional working group — winning her numerous awards. Communicators A former deacon and elder in the Presbyterian Beth Bower is a writer, editor church, Karen has long worked for social justice. After and documentary producer helping return a Native American infant wrongly taken whose passion is writing . . . and from her family, Karen spearheaded passage of a state communicating. law to require a court order in such cases. After high school, Beth Karen also volunteered countless hours for an annual enlisted in the Air Force and be- Boulder gala to fight hunger and was dubbed a “rock came its first woman helicopter star” by the event chair. mechanic. She found that mechanics communicate but Beth Bower Roxane Ferguson don’t necessarily write. She Delaware Press Association found outlets by working DPA Vice President toward her degree and writing short stories. Roxane Ferguson is the She graduated from college and settled in Wichita, dynamic executive director of where she found work doing what she loved — writing! the Middletown Area Chamber She wrote for The Derby Daily Reporter and The Wichita of Commerce. Roxane says Eagle, serving as advertising editor and producing special effective communication– sections and magazines. verbal, visual, written— fosters Beth’s passion for food — and writing — converged in stronger relationships numerous holiday cookbook publications and a docu- among Delaware businesses mentary about Kansas pie for PBS. Recognized for her and is the foundation on Roxane Ferguson (Continued on page 7)

Agenda / Summer 2021 / Page 6 COA candidates for 2021 . . .

(Continued from page 6) Tammy lives in Fargo and is actively involved in her work, Beth is a past president of WPC, Wichita’s perpetual church and local 4-H organization. fundraising mixer chair and an at-large member. She sup- ports many local nonprofits and is a 2012 Kansas Woman Patty Kruszewski Virginia Professional of Distinction. Communicators Beth’s current projects include another cookbook and Patty Kruszewski holds a fried chicken documentary. sociology degree from Virginia

Tech and a master's degree in Tammy Fogle North Dakota Professional public administration from Communicators Lamar University. Tammy Fogle graduated She is managing editor of from Minnesota State University The Henrico Citizen, where she Moorhead with a bachelor’s has earned more than 200 degree in mass communica- writing and photography tions. Her professional career awards. Patty Kruszewski started in broadcast at WDAY- A former ambassador for TV in Fargo. While there, Richmond's Chamber of Commerce, Patty was named Tammy directed the evening Henrico Business Leader of the Year in 2008 and Henrico newscasts, produced special Tammy Fogle PAL Board Member of the Year for 2015. video segments and assisted Since 2012, when she lost her youngest daughter to a with production of client TV commercials. distracted driver, Patty also has been active with safe- Next, Tammy dove headfirst into marketing at the driving groups and organizations advocating for cyclists Fargo Park District. She was in charge of marketing and pedestrians. efforts for the entire district and quickly learned on her In 2013, she was the runner-up for the Richmond own how to manage all aspects of marketing. Now highly Times-Dispatch's correspondent of the year honors. She skilled in digital marketing, Tammy has a new focus at continues to speak regularly to community and business North Dakota State College of Science. Her expertise is groups about safety topics and in 2015 was named a primarily in email marketing, website management, traffic safety champion by Drive Smart Virginia. social media strategy and video production.

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Agenda / Summer 2021 / Page 7 Texas senator wins sweepstakes award

By Terri Ehresman Contest Chair Winning awards is nothing new to Judith Zaffirini of Laredo, Texas. During her career, she has received more than 1,100 awards for her legislative, public service and professional work. This year she achieved another mile- stone award when she was named sweepstakes winner in the NFPW communications contest. Zaffirini is a Texas senator and communications business owner who also has 13 years of teaching experience, including college and university levels. She is the first Hispanic woman elected to the Texas Senate and is the second highest-ranking senator after she was re-elected in 2020 in her 10th landslide victory. This year she won 24 first-place awards in the Press Women of Texas communications contest. Those entries advanced to the national contest where she won first- place honors for communications programs and cam- paigns, audiovisuals, for her Communication and Presen- tation Skills for Virtual Courts audiovisual program. She also won first place for a public service program or cam- paign for her 2020 Constituent Outreach Program. She won second-place honors for public relations materials, catalog, manual or handbook, for her manual “Class in the Courtroom: Access to Justice Mock Trial Texas Senator and NFPW Sweepstakes Winner Series, 2019-2020.” She also won second-place honors Judith Zaffirini for a single advertisement, Seguin Voter's Guide Ad. She placed second for news or feature releases, multiple She won honorable mention awards for a radio or releases, for her Zoom webinar press releases and second television, interview; web and social media, web copy; for a social media campaign, nonprofit, government or communications programs and campaigns, crisis com- educational, focusing on “Judith Zaffirini, Texas State munications; and publication regularly edited by entrant, Senator.” newsletter/other publication, nonprofit, government or She also finished in second place for publications educational. regularly written by entrant, newsletter/other publica- Zaffirini was honored as sweepstakes winner in June tion, nonprofit, government or educational, for her report during an online NFPW awards ceremony. She won $250 to families in the Texas district she represents. cash and a plaque for finishing in first place. She won third-place awards for her speech accepting NFPW President Gwen Larson praised Zaffirini for the LULAC Council 12 lifetime achievement award; her accomplishments. advertising poster, billboard or banner for her election “Judith Zaffirini is a talented communications billboard, and for a personal opinion column examining (Continued on page 9) “Cult of Glory.” Agenda / Summer 2021 / Page 8 Sweepstakes winner . . .

(Continued from page 8) and currently serves as treasurer of the NFPW Education professional who understands the many different channels Fund, the 501(c)3 arm of the organization. Potter holds available to share one's message. Being able to adapt the NFPW record for most sweepstakes wins in messages to a myriad of outlets is a special talent.” the contest. She was the national winner in 2018, 2014, Mary Jane Skala of Kearney, Nebraska, a reporter for 2012 and 2008. the Kearney Hub, finished in second place in the sweep- stakes competition. She writes features and covers health Delaware wins again issues for her newspaper. She also writes a weekly column For the eighth consecutive year, Delaware Press about moving to the sometimes-quirky corn and cattle Association captured the first-place affiliate award. Dela- country after 40 years as a newspaper editor in Cleveland. ware also won the top affiliate award in 2007 and 2011. She was the NFPW sweepstakes winner in 2020 and 1996. A distinguished group of professional journalists, Skala is an accomplished writer and consistently finishes communications specialists and educators judged nearly in the top three in the national contest. She received a 2,000 entries in a wide variety of categories. Only first- check for $100 for finishing in second place. place winning entries at the state level are eligible to enter Finishing in third place was Lori Potter, who retired the national contest. All entries were published or broad- earlier this year after more than four decades as a writer cast between Jan. 1, 2020, and Dec. 31, 2020. and photographer for the Kearney Hub. Potter, also of For a complete list of the contest winners, please go Kearney, Nebraska, is a former NFPW national president to the NFPW website. Best of the Best winner hails from Texas

By Teri Ehresman Nalavade won a $250 cash award for Best of the Best Contest Chair and $100 for winning the top award in the video news sto- A student from a high ry category. His high school communications program school in Texas is the recipient also received a $250 check. of the National Federation of Nearly 2,000 students participated in this year’s con- Press Women’s Award of test. Students first competed in a statewide communica- Achievement for the high tions contest, and first-place winners were advanced to school communications the national round of competition. In states where a con- contest sponsored by the test was not offered, NFPW hosted an at-large contest NFPW Education Fund. with the first-place winners also advancing to the national Sumit Nalavade, a junior competition. from Heritage High School in The first-place winners in each category received a Sumit Nalavade Frisco, Texas, is the sixth high $100 cash prize. The student winners were honored during school student from Texas to win the honor, commonly a Zoom awards ceremony in May. referred to as the “Best of the Best” award in high school The national high school winners list is available on communications. Students from Ohio and Delaware have the NFPW website: https://www.nfpw.org/2021-high- also won the award during the eight years the award has school-communications-contest-winners. been given.

Agenda / Summer 2021 / Page 9 Press Women walk path of suffragettes

By Karen Peterson at the center of their creation story. COA Nominee In the beginning, when the earth was Colorado Press Women but a glimmer in the Creator’s eye, Once again, the NFPW Confer- Skywoman slid through a hole in the ence has stirred my soul, stoked my sky — a hole created when her husband fire and replenished my passion. uprooted the tree of life. My takeaway from this year’s Guided by her inherent ingenuity, NFPW conference ties in to my latest Skywoman partnered with the birds writing assignment — a blog about and water animals to sprinkle the soil the visionary women leading the St. that gave rise to life on earth. Regis Mohawk Tribe’s transition to a Sustaining that life became the solar-powered future. sacred responsibility of her daughter It begins, “In traditional Iroquois and granddaughters in a matriarchal society, women were the keepers of society where women held so much culture.” sway they served as the inspiration That was the first gem my re- for our own suffragette sisters. Karen Peterson search uncovered. What responsibili- Sisters like Ida B. Wells. As we ties did that entail? I wondered, as I heard from her great-granddaughter That is the power of story. dug a little deeper. Michelle Duster, who delivered the The stories we tell have genera- Turns out, women wielded conference keynote, Ida B the tional impact. They influence how we significant status and power in the QUEEN not only fought the fights, plant the seeds, nurture their Iroquois system of government — a marched in the rallies and got in growth, define our roles, inform our democratic confederacy that good trouble, she also told the decisions, shape our society, protect informed and inspired our own stories . . . the ones Michelle is still our environment, preserve our cul- democracy. telling today. ture, and yes, even sustain our Except for the inclusion of women Sisters like Elizabeth Eckford of system of government. in leadership and decision-making the Little Rock Nine, whose courage Much as the modern-day part. That took us a while. And we’re on The Worst First Day opened the Mohawk women I interviewed are still working on it . . . refining the doors to the up-and-coming Central following in the footsteps of Sky- story to better reflect the ideals High reporter Emily Jefferson, who is woman, we Press Women are espoused by our Constitution — a forging a career from today. walking the walk of the suffragette framework for justice and equality These sisters are the stewards of storytellers who paved the way modeled after that of the Iroquois stories. And in fulfilling that role they for us. Confederacy. inspire us all to dig deeper. Listen We have a sacred duty to lean Notably, women’s prominent role closer. Think bigger. Fight harder. Be into our inherited role as the shapers in shaping Iroquois society traces all better. of democracy . . . and finish the story the way back to Skywoman, the hero Take a moment to ponder that. they started.

Agenda / Summer 2021 / Page 10 We Remember . . . compiled by Amy Geiszler-Jones, NFPW Historian

Alaska Professional Amy also was an artist and wrote as production coordinator because of Communicators two books. Her first was “My Beauti- her cancer. She had been president Sylvia Ciernick Broady, 96, died ful Detour: An Unthinkable Journey of Iowa Press Women, as well as April 15, 2021. With a from Gutless to Grateful.” She joined serving as president of a Beta Sigma bachelor’s degree in NPFW as a student in March. Phi council and chapter. She had just journalism and a doc- reached her 15-year membership torate in communica- Illinois Woman’s Press Association milestone with NFPW. Hoffman is tions from Michigan Olga Gize Carlisle, 94, died Feb. survived her sister and fellow NFPW State University, 19, 2021. Born in member Marsha Hoffman. Sylvia was hired as a East Chicago, Olga A memorial has been established professor/director of public infor- graduated from the with the NFPW Education Fund. mation at the University of Alaska Ernie Pyle School of Fairbanks in 1963. After accompany- Journalism at Indi- Missouri Professional ing her husband on various postings ana University. Olga Communicators overseas, she resumed her career as started her 60-year Mary Ellen Brucker, 94, died April a university professor at the University career at The Freeport Journal 26, 2021. She settled of Alaska Anchorage. After retiring in Standard at a time when few married in Webster Groves, a 1995, Sylvia returned to UAA in 1999 women were in the workforce, St. Louis suburb, to serve as its interim vice chancellor. becoming one of the first women following a reporting Her career brought her many honors managing editors at the newspaper. stint for Voice of from the Advertising Federation of She wrote her "Around the Table" America in New York Alaska, Public Relations Society of column every day for decades. and Washington, America, Alaska Professional Com- A dedicated print journalist, photo- D.C., writing for Korean, Hungarian municators and NFPW. journalist, food editor, book author and Chinese news services. In her and columnist, she was a five-time husband’s hometown, she became a Connecticut Press Club winner of the IWPA Writer of the PR professional, working for an Amy Oestreicher died April 7, Year award, the 1982 NFPW Com- agency and the school district. 2021, just days shy municator of Achievement and the A Stanford University graduate, th of her 34 birthday. 2007 Illinois Journalist of the Year. Brucker encouraged local journalists Her second book, She held many offices in IWPA and to participate in professional organi- “Creativity and Grati- served eight years on the NFPW zations, judged communications tude,” was published Education Fund board. contests, provided programs based just days earlier. At on her worldwide travels and Iowa Press Women age 18, Amy suffered photography and attended MPC Julie Hoffman, 53, died May 21, major medical issues requiring more events in St. Louis. 2021, after a nearly than two dozen surgeries over the A member of the Photographic six-year battle with years — including the removal of her Society of America, she and her hus- colon cancer. Hoff- stomach — but persevered to return band won the PSA’s national trave- man had worked at to her love of acting and performing logue competition twice, and she American Laborato- in her one-woman show, “Gutless & earned PSA’s highest honor in 2015. ries in Omaha for 27 Grateful: A Musical Feast,” based on years before retiring hundreds of pages of her journals. (Continued on page 12)

Agenda / Summer 2021 / Page 11 We Remember . . .

(Continued from page 11) porter for KUNM public radio station During the recent NFPW New Mexico Press Women in Albuquerque. Her deep regard for conference, we paid tribute to Hannah Colton, 29, died Nov. 10, the diversity of human experience members who died since the 2021. A creative talent drew her to listen to and share stories, last in-person conference in who enjoyed music particularly those of marginalized June 2019 and the June 2021 composition and people, through the medium of radio. virtual conference. The tributes dance along with be- Her first radio job was with KDLG in are online at https:// ing an outdoor enthu- Dillingham, Alaska. www.nfpw.org/2021-memorials. siast who led summer She won first place in the 2021 Some of the obituaries in backpacking trips for NFPW communications contest for this issue of Agenda were not young adults and teens, Hannah at talk show as part of a team but died received in time to be included the time of her death was the news- before the winners were announced in that tribute. room director and public health re- at the national conference. Affiliate and Member News . . .

Nebraska Press Women The fall conference will be held man as special guests for the event. NFPW members are invited to Oct. 9 in Grand Island. Details about speakers and ven- attend Nebraska’s 75th anniversary NPW President Lori Potter said ues will be published in the NFPW E- celebration at the affiliate’s first the affiliate hopes to have past presi- letter and Agenda prior to the Oct. 9 in-person gathering in two years. dents Gwen Larson and Marsha Hoff- conference.

Agenda / Summer 2021 / Page 12 Affiliate and Member News . . .

Kay Stephens Pennsylvania Press Women NFPW member Kay Stephens and two other Penn State University alumni were featured recently in a newsletter generated by the PSU Bellisario College of Communications. “Determined Professionals” by Elena Rose says the stories of the three “aren’t all that different from one anoth- er — at least, professionally. ... Their roles certainly differ.” Stephens, 65, graduated from Penn State in 1977, Greg Pickel in 2015 and Carter Walker in 2017. “Stephens is an Altoona Mirror vet- eran, who has continued to report the news in her community for 44 years; Pickel, 28, acts as the sports manager of “From reporting on general assign- attained during the 1990s — the Mirror the digital media outlet PennLive and its ments, education, municipal and county had 12 full-time news reporters. print component, the Patriot-News in government and county court, as well as “Due to a multitude of reasons, Harrisburg, where he has reported and copy editing and designing pages for the Stephens also noted the Mirror some- edited for over a decade; and Walker, 26, newspaper, Stephens has left a mark in times struggles with producing enough has served the Lancaster community for many sections of the Mirror’s print and content to fill an entire newspaper. more than three years as a county gov- online products. “’If you would have asked [what I am ernment and investigative reporter for “. . . as media landscapes continue passionate about] two years ago, I would the LNP Media Group.” to evolve, she has found it increasingly have said, just looking into anything and Each of three said their outlets, reg- difficult for the newspaper to produce its everything,’ Stephens said. ‘But what I’m ularly produced print newspapers, have best print product (the Mirror’s more passionate about now is trying to keep “felt hit in various ways — some drastic prioritized mode of news sharing) versus the paper filled on a daily basis with and some more predictable and recover- its online and social media platforms. stories. We have so few reporters that able” in the changing media landscapes. “‘We’re trying to do as much as we we have to devote our resources to “However, as digital media advanc- can do with the staff we have, but it’s not making sure we have stories in the es, the once vital, national and local role enough to suit me, because I know what paper. Otherwise, it’s just a tough day.’” played by newspaper continues to diminish.” it used to be,’ Stephens said. ‘Some other “Despite her concerns related to the Despite all that, “each of the three people might say, the day of wide- journalists voices the same sentiment: Mirror and local media, Stephens said ranging coverage in your newspaper … an unwavering passion for delivering the she knows local journalists will con- maybe they are behind us. Because news their communities need.” tinue to play crucial roles in their people are getting their [news] from The article continues: communities. other sources.’ “Stephens’ favorite part of her job is “The Mirror is one of many local “Financial issues at the Mirror have telling people what they don’t know. newspapers still trying to ‘do it all,’ prompted staff cuts, which further con- “Over the past four-plus decades tribute to operational impacts for the she said, as they continue to provide she has spent with the Mirror, she has outlet. According to Stephens, the Mir- a wide range of reporting — local and managed to share that information ror currently employs five full-time news national news, entertainment across the newspaper’s ... circulation reporters. At its fullest staff — last (Continued on page 14) area.”

Agenda / Summer 2021 / Page 13 Affiliate and Member News . . .

(Continued from page 13) “Upon asking Stephens what her Pennsylvania — as well as multiple information, sports, obituaries, com- strengths are, she recalled a memory weeklies and a magazine division. ics and more. from years past. While covering an “According to Stephens, Ogden “’Newspaper journalists especially Altoona Area School Board meeting, Newspapers has not chosen to feed are the ones who are asking im- Stephens witnessed a local taxpayer extensive resources into the Mirror’s portant questions, looking for infor- and parent tell the board that with- digital presence. She said the Mirror mation to share with their readers,’ out Stephens’ reporting on meet- will continue to carry out a print-first Stephens said. ‘And more than likely, ings, she wouldn’t be able to under- focus — likely catering largely to older [they] are the ones who are going to stand the board’s actions. That readers — and that for, ‘right now, raise challenges when it comes to memory still sticks with Stephens. that’s okay.’ closed-door meetings that violate “’At that time, and still today, I “She plans to keep doing her job the state’s Sunshine Law.’ consider that comment to be high every day, no matter the Mirror’s “When reflecting on her career at praise,’ Stephens said. ‘Based on the mode of news sharing. ‘I don't know; the Mirror, she recalled covering sto- way some of our local governing I think newspapers are going to be ries from the Johnstown Flood of boards conduct their meetings, it can around forever. But, at the same 1977 to county court jury trials to ille- be — but shouldn't be — difficult to time, I see them changing,’ Stephens gal drug rings in the area. On a day- understand what our local leaders said. ‘I see other avenues popping up to-day basis, though, she tries to dig are doing.’ to provide information, but I can tell for those stories to deliver to the “As media landscapes continue you that, as far as local news goes, community — double checking the to evolve, Stephens said she some- it's your local newspaper that's still county court calendar, attending times struggles when trying to pre- trying to do its job.’ court and county governmental dict what is ahead for the Mirror and “And they'll keep trying to do hearings and keeping tabs on newspapers everywhere. In Stephens’ their job until there's not enough ‘dozens’ of criminal and civil court mind, putting together a plan for the money for that.” cases. Mirror that involves more online and (Editor’s Note: To read the entire “’The day-to-day work of a news- digital resources seems smart. article, including the more in-depth paper reporter [at a] small city publi- “However, she said she respects interviews with the other two alumni, cation hasn’t changed significantly,’ the newspaper’s ownership at Ogden please go to The Communicator Stephens said. ‘I’m always looking Newspapers, which owns over 50 newsletter online.) every day for something new to tell daily newspapers across the country the readers.’ — including 12 print products in

North Dakota Press Women will host next year’s communications conference for NFPW. The exact dates haven’t been set but newly installed NFPW President Karen Rowley says, “It will be in June 2022.” Conference chairmen have yet to be named. Details will be published in upcoming issues of Agenda and on the NFPW website.

Agenda / Summer 2021 / Page 14 Just a thought . . .

By Cathy Koon protect the rock from damage by visitors and tried to Media Network Idaho, Agenda Editor imagine what it must have been like for those pioneers Returning home from Colorado in early May, I took to stand in much the same spot and know they still had a an unplanned detour to Independence Rock in Wyoming. long journey ahead of them. Unplanned, for those who don’t know my penchant As a young girl, I wanted to be Laura Ingalls Wilder for taking detours, means I got lost. I always think I know and experience such a journey. Now, I wonder if I would exactly where I am and where I’m headed. The upside of have made a good pioneer. How would I have done, being lost is the unique and beautiful places I wouldn’t walking hundreds of miles through wild country, watch- have seen otherwise. ing for rattlesnakes, Indians and other dangers. Through Independence Rock is in the middle of nowhere in mud and sand, or crossing raging rivers, living on scarce dry, desert country. It was a stopping off place for west- rations and not being able to bathe or wash my hair on a ward-bound emigrants looking for new lives in the West. regular basis. Many of my ancestors came to Utah and Idaho that way, And I wonder what my pioneer ancestors would and I wondered if any of them had stopped and left their think of me and my world. I have tried to be a pioneer in marks on this piece of barren granite, 1,900 feet long and my own way, being active in my community and in my 700 feet wide, rising 128 feet above the valley floor. profession. Always, I have tried to leave things better Unless they left some kind of diary to commemorate than I found them. such an event, I will probably never know for sure. Some But any mark I leave behind is likely to be just as of the names were painted with axle grease, others impermanent as those names carved into Independence chiseled with whatever tools they had. Over the past 150 Rock. My lasting legacy is likely to be found in newspaper or so years, most of the axle grease has worn off and the archives in bylined news articles and features spanning a constant Wyoming winds have eroded the names until 30-year career as a communicator. most are unreadable. In my own way, maybe I am a pioneer. I stood alone outside the chain-link fence meant to

Agenda / Summer 2021 / Page 15 NFPW Leadership Directory

2021 ELECTED OFFICERS Hospitality and Protocol: President: Catherine Petrini, Virginia & D.C. Karen Rowley, Louisiana Parliamentarian: Vice President: Allison Stein, Missouri Julie Campbell, Virginia POPPS President: Secretary: Mark Fowser, Delaware Meredith Cummings, Alabama Presidential Adviser — Conference Liaison: Treasurer: Meg Hunt, South Carolina Debbie Miller, Arkansas Presidential Adviser — Membership: Immediate Past President: Cynthia Price, Virginia Gwen Larson, Kansas Presidential Adviser — Contest Director: Teri Ehresman, Idaho APPOINTED BOARD Student Membership Director: Archivist: Unfilled Paula Casey, At-Large Publications Director: Communicator of Achievement Director: Cathy Koon, Idaho Karen Stensrud, North Dakota Publications Assistant: FAN Co-Directors: Unfilled Marsha Shuler, Louisiana Web Director: Angela Smith, Texas Cate Langley, NFPW Executive Director Historian: 2022 Conference Co-Directors: Amy Geiszler-Jones, Kansas Unfilled Assistant Historian: Mary Pat Finn-Hoag, Nebraska NFPW Headquarters Cate Langley, Executive Director 140B Purcellville Gateway Drive Ad Rates for AGENDA Suite 120

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Agenda / Summer 2021 / Page 16