This year IWPA celebrates the 84th Mate E. Palmer Communications Contest. Begun in 1941 in memory of IWPAs ninth president, Mate E. Palmer, it would be Sadie Quayle, Palmer’s caregiver who had cared for her during her last days of illness, who approached then president, Helen Miller Malloch requesting the Association establish a writing contest in Mate’s memory. At the time of her death, in 1939, Palmer left a bequest of $500.00 to Sadie Quayle. Miss Quayle turned the bequest over to the Illinois Woman’s Press Association to fund the contest. (The value of that $500 bequest is the equivalent in purchasing power of $11,427.00 today.) 

With time, as the contest and categories grew so did interest for a greater incentive in the awards program. In 1972, the Silver Feather Award was established and made a permanent part of the Professional Contest. The first winner was Dolores Haugh. It is presented annually to the IWPA member who individually compiles the highest number of points earned in the Mate E. Palmer Professional Communications Contest. The 2025 Silver Feather Award recipient is Timothy Libretti.

IWPA will celebrate the contest winners on May 3, 2025, at The Public Landing in Lockport, Illinois.

All First-Place winners may now advance to nationally compete in the 2025 National Federation of Press Women Professional Communications Contest (NFPW.org). Winners of the NFPW competition will be announced during the September Communications Conference held in Golden, Colorado.

2025 IWPA Professional Contest Winners

Timothy Libretti – 2025 Silver Feather Award Winner

First Place

IL-24422 The Ethical Context for President Biden’s Pardon of His Son 

Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07G – Government or politics

First Place

IL-24119 How the WNBA Plays a Key Role in Supporting Human and Civil Rights 

Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07R – Sports

First Place

IL-24131 In Midst of Crises, Why Student Loan Forgiveness is a Key Step in Promoting a Democratic Culture Of Mutual Aid 

Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07D – Education

First Place

IL-24132 Trump Acted to Destroy the Environment And Hurt Families in His first Term: What’s Next? 

Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07H – Green/environmental

First Place

IL-24188 All Things Being Equal 

Web and Social Media > 34 – Website Edited or Managed by Entrant > 34A – Nonprofit, government or educational

First Place

IL-24196 Guns and Democracy: Do They really go together? 

Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07Q – Social issues

First Place

IL-24165 On this Labor Day, remembering Mister Rogers as an advocate for labor and its love 

Writing > 05 – Feature Story > 05C – Online publication 

Second Place

IL-24135 “All I Asking for Is My Body”: The Common Politics of Reproductive and Worker Rights 

Writing > 05 – Feature Story > 05C – Online publication 

Second Place

IL-24153 On the “Conscience Vote” and the Role of Electoral Politics for the Revolutionary-Minded 

Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07G – Government or politics 

Second Place

IL-24155 Would Trump’s Authoritarianism Make Life Better for American Workers? 

Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07C – Business 

Second Place

IL-24161 In His Past and Presidency, Trump Always Undermined American Workers 

Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07I – History

Second Place

IL-24381 Puerto Ricans Discovered Trump’s Hangman. Will the Rest of America? 

Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07Q – Social issues

Third Place

IL-24138 Opinion: How Celebrating Luigi Mangione Fuels Trumpism and Impedes Real Social Change 

Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07Q – Social issues

Third Place

IL-24151 When Trump and Republicans Seek to Destroy Public Education, They Undermine Democracy and Human Rights 

Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07D – Education

Third Place

IL-24158 Revisiting American History X to Pose a Potentially Transformative Question: Does White Male Supremacy Make White Americans’ Lives Better? 

Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07B – Arts and entertainment 

Third Place

IL-24392 Why Asking What the Democrats Did Wrong Is the Wrong Question 

Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07G – Government or politics

Honorable Mention

IL-24418 How to Abet the Right: Bernie Sanders and the Damaging Political Laziness of Blaming Democrats Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07G – Government or politics 

Honorable Mention

IL-24180 What Is Real Economic Democracy? 

Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07C – Business

Honorable Mention

IL-24075 WNBA Stands Against Misogyny, Homophobia of Trump and Republicans 

Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07R – Sports

 

Ann Logue

First Place

IL-22550 The Whatever Years

Web and Social Media > 40 – Electronic Newsletter > 40C – Personal

 

Carrie Steinweg

First Place

IL-22583    TF South Alum Curtis Granderson Among Baseball Hall of Fame Nominees   

Writing > 01 – News Story > 01C – Online publication 

First Place
IL-22574   New thoughts on its value show a move away from homework — especially for lower grades  

Writing > 01 – News Story > 01A – Print-based newspaper      

First Place
IL-22572    Region Chefs Offer Modern Takes on Fare from First Thanksgiving 

Writing > 05 – Feature Story > 05A – Print-based newspaper    

First Place

IL-22571    Unique Eats and Eateries of Indiana 

Writing > Books, Short Stories, Verse > 12 – Nonfiction Book for Adult Readers > 12D – General Nonfiction

Second Place
IL-22575 Spring break in the dessert: Glendale, Arizona stars a mix of entertainment, sports and more 

Writing > 05 – Feature Story > 05A – Print-based newspaper

Third Place
IL-22573 Make Your Way to Pelee Island for a Relaxing Getaway 

Writing > 05 – Feature Story > 05A – Print-based newspaper

Third Place
IL-22582 Dan Aykroyd, Jim Belushi return to Old Joliet Prison for Blues Brothers Con

Writing > 05 – Feature Story > 05C – Online publication

 

Erin Sullivan

First Place

IL-22284 The Price of Unpaid Caregiving 

Graphics and Design > 25 – Page Design > 25B – Magazine or magapaper (newsletter format with magazine-style writing and design)  

First Place

IL-22282 The Toll of Unpaid Caregiving 

Graphics and Design > 24 – Graphics > 24B – Infographics  

Second Place

IL-22246 Gun Violence in the United States 

Graphics and Design > 24 – Graphics > 24B – Infographics

Second Place

IL-22283 Future Finances 

Graphics and Design > 25 – Page Design > 25B – Magazine or magapaper (newsletter format with magazine-style writing and design) 

Third Place

IL-22290 Ongoing Survival 

Graphics and Design > 25 – Page Design > 25B – Magazine or magapaper (newsletter format with magazine-style writing and design)

Honorable Mention
IL-22288 The Public Health Crisis of Gun Violence 

Graphics and Design > 25 – Page Design > 25B – Magazine or magapaper (newsletter format with magazine-style writing and design) 

 

Frank Hosek

First Place

IL-20727 An ode to a honky-tonk after visiting Nashville’s Robert’s Western World 

Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07T – Travel

 

Janis Johnston

First Place

IL-21680 Women Missing Equality’s Pearl 

Web and Social Media > 37 – Blog > 37A – Nonprofit, government or educational

 

Janice Renee Newman

Second Place
IL-22396 Y? Why Not! LOVE REQUIRES MERCY 

Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07N – Religion

Second Place
IL-22397 Y? Why Not! “S” is for Savings 

Writing > 08 – Columns > 08C – Informational (how-to, Q&A, advice)

Third Place
IL-22402 Y? Why Not! Faith: Building Memorials to God’s Power in Difficult Times 

Writing > 08 – Columns > 08D – Personal opinion (bylined, not editorial)

 

Janice Renee Newman, Matthew Jemilo, and Philip Newman

Second Place
IL-22394 Y? Why Not! Redesigning Your Life with Chanel Rose 

Radio and Television > 30 – Interview > 30B – Television

Second Place
IL-22395 Y? Why Not! Season 6 Episode 3 Title: Surviving Loss: Recovery Process With guest Chanel Rose

Radio and Television > 31 – Talk Show > 31B – Television

Third Place
IL-22111 Y? Why Not! discusses Gifts of the Spirit 

Radio and Television > 31 – Talk Show > 31B – Television

 

Joshua Friedberg

First Place

IL-20712 Spectrum Sounds 

Web and Social Media > 35 – Personal Website

First Place

IL-20699 Mania, Madness, and Matchbox Twenty; Ella Fitzgerald and the Acoustics of My Autism; He Didn’t Beat Me Up; Dancing in a Hurricane 

Writing > 09 – Headlines

First Place

IL-20696 He Didn’t Beat Me Up 

Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07M – Health (mental, emotional and physical health, fitness, diet, healthy lifestyle) 

First Place

IL-20695 Politically Engaging Comfort Music for Tough Times 

Writing > 08 – Columns > 08A – General

First Place

IL-20670 The IWPA Awards Luncheon Keynote Speech 

Speeches > 57 – Speech

First Place

IL-20655 Dancing in a Hurricane: The 10 Songs about Rain That Mean the Most to Me 

Web and Social Media > 37 – Blog > 37C – Personal 

First Place
IL-20653 ‘BECOMING ELLA FITZGERALD’ EXPANDS THE CULTURAL MEMORY 

Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07O – Reviews (any subject, must express a personal opinion)

First Place
IL-20647 Ella Fitzgerald and the Acoustics of My Autism 

Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07L – Personal essay (article from author’s perspective with single thesis, supporting statements and conclusion)

First Place

IL-20646 Just a Little Unwell, 10 Years Later 

Writing > 08 – Columns > 08C – Informational (how-to, Q&A, advice)

Second Place
IL-21057 An Exceptionally Eventful June 

Web and Social Media > 40 – Electronic Newsletter > 40C – Personal 

Second Place

IL-20740 The 11 Books I Read in 2024 That Impacted Me the Most 

Writing > 08 – Columns > 08D – Personal opinion (bylined, not editorial)

Honorable Mention

IL-20628 25 of the Best Country Songs of the 1990s 

Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07B – Arts and entertainment 

Honorable Mention
IL-20654 A Feeling of Belonging 

Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07Q – Social issues 

Honorable Mention

IL-20650 Kris Kristofferson and the Myth of American Freedom 

Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07I – History

 

Lolita Ditzler

Second Place

IL-21821 ROCKING 

Web and Social Media > 37 – Blog > 37C – Personal

Third Place
IL-21820 PREPARED 

Web and Social Media > 37 – Blog > 37C – Personal

Honorable Mention
IL-21710 TREASURES 

Web and Social Media > 37 – Blog > 37C – Personal

Honorable Mention
IL-21819 DONATIONS 

Web and Social Media > 37 – Blog > 37C – Personal

 

Lynne Conner

First Place

IL-21713 Boylan art exhibit celebrates fashion-designing alum 

Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07B – Arts and entertainment 

 First Place

IL-21717 Faith, Football and Family: The Foundation of Sean Considine’s Hall of Fame Induction 

Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07N – Religion 

First Place

IL-21718 Residents oppose proposed solar farm–First of three stories on a proposed Winnebago County solar farm 

Writing > 02 – Continuing Coverage or Unfolding News 

Second Place

IL-21719 KC’s Bread Run Boasts Impressive History of Helping the Hungry 

Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07Q – Social issues 

Honorable Mention

IL-21715 RVC’s Center for Learning in Retirement has wide variety of offerings for expanding population Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07D – Education

Honorable Mention
IL-21716 Faith, Trust and Joy Highlight Sister Faustina Marie’s Profession of First Vows 

Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07N – Religion 

 

Marlene Cook

First Place

IL-21599 The house on Thornton-Lansing Road that’s 135 years old. 

Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07S – Style (fashion, interior design, furniture, architecture, landscaping, home economics)

First Place

IL-21590 The Sweet Smell of Onions Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07A – Agriculture (agribusiness, aquaculture)

First Place

IL-21605 Ridge Road was once a Potawatomi Trail 

Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07I – History

Third Place

IL-21596 Kilroy’s Pub – serving Lansing under a variety of names since 1906 

Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07C – Business 

Third Place

IL-21598 First United Methodist Church was first to hold services in English 

Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07N – Religion 

Honorable Mention

IL-21550 The amazing Lila Mae Winterhoff – she never considered herself handicapped 

Writing > 05 – Feature Story > 05C – Online publication

 

Mable Fleming

Third Place

IL-21277 Mayday Mayhaim Podcast Web and Social Media > 36 – Podcast

 

Margot McMahon

First Place

IL-22918 Coral: Is It an Animal Plant or Mineral? 

Graphics and Design > 24 – Graphics > 24A – Graphics 

Second Place
IL-22919 Coral: Is It an Animal, Plant, or Mineral? 

Writing > Books, Short Stories, Verse > 13 – Children’s Book > 13B – Non-fiction 

Second Place

IL-20846 Coral: Is It an Animal, Plant, or Mineral? 

Graphics and Design > 24 – Graphics > 24A – Graphics 

 

Mary Wagner

First Place

IL-21873 Of Bairns and Wheelie Bins 

Writing > Books, Short Stories, Verse > 12 – Nonfiction Book for Adult Readers > 12C – Humor 

First Place

IL-21878 “Good Evening Shetland” 

Radio and Television > 30 – Interview > 30A – Radio

First Place 

IL-21880 The Nine Radio and Television > 30 – Interview > 30B – Television

Honorable Mention

IL-21874 Of Bairns and Wheelie Bins Graphics and Design > 26 – Book Designed by Entrant 

 

Michele Weldon

First Place

IL-20718 The Time We Have: Essays on Pandemic Living 

Writing > Books, Short Stories, Verse > 12 – Nonfiction Book for Adult Readers > 12A – Autobiography or Memoir 

First Place

IL-20719 The push to return to the office full time ignores how life has changed for many 

Writing > 04 – Editorial/Op-Ed 

First Place

IL-20720 I Was Diagnosed With Aggressive Breast Cancer. Here is why I feel Lucky. 

Writing > 08 – Columns > 08D – Personal opinion (bylined, not editorial)

 

Michelle Cox

First Place

IL-20633 The Fallen Woman’s Daughter 

Writing > Books, Short Stories, Verse > 11 – Fiction for Adult Readers > 11A – Novels (More than 40,000 words)

 

Patricia M. Szpekowski

First Place
IL-21155 Marketing Simple Client Engagement 

Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07C – Business

First Place
IL-21156 The Behr Den A Rockford Classic Continues On 

Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07E – Food 

First Place

IL-21152 Hometown Holiday Happenings 2024 

Editing for Print or Online Publications > 18 – Single Page, Section, or Supplement Edited by Entrant > 18C – Newsletter/other publication 

Second Place

IL-21154 Local Wine Boutiques 

Writing > 05 – Feature Story > 05B – Magazine, newsletter/other publication

Second Place
IL-21157 A Romantic Staycation 

Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07B – Arts and entertainment 

Second Place

IL-21159 Financial Planning Early Fiscal Lessons 

Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07D – Education 

Second Place

IL-21160 The Golden Years 

Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07M – Health (mental, emotional and physical health, fitness, diet, healthy lifestyle) 

Third Place
IL-21153 Couple Gives to Lahaina, Hawaii Fire Victims 

Writing > 02 – Continuing Coverage or Unfolding News

Honorable Mention
IL-21191 Precious Nativities are Shared Before Upcoming Auction 

Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07N – Religion

 

Sarah Luczko    

First Place

IL-23372 Facing Homelessness in Chicago: A Network of support 

Writing 01B – Magazine, newsletter/other print publication

 

Suzanne Hanney

First Place

IL-23377 Limited Run Play ‘Beyond the Door’ Celebrates Hope the Power to Change 

Writing > 05 – Feature Story > 05B – Magazine, newsletter/other publication  

First Place

IL-23383 Facing Homelessness in Chicago’s Harshest Elements 

Photography > 23 – Photographer-writer 

Second Place

IL-23382 StreetWise and Rivet360 Cover Homelessness in Chicago on Season 2 of Where I Stay podcast 

Writing > 01 – News Story > 01B – Magazine, newsletter/other print publication 

Second Place

IL-23376 Labor Day 2024: Labor, Artificial Intelligence and Trade Unions 

Writing > 08 – Columns > 08A – General  

Third Place

IL-23367 On the Flip Side- American Women Honored on U.S. Quarters 

Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07I – History 

 

Suzanne Hanney and Jesse Betend

First Place

IL-24271 Where I Stay Season 2, Episode 4 “One Year Later” 

Web and Social Media > 36 – Podcast 

Second Place

IL-24268 Where I Stay Season 2, Episode 3 “My Apologies to the Four Seasons” 

Web and Social Media > 36 – Podcast  

Honorable Mention

IL-23364 Where I Stay – Season 2, Episode 5 Did anger over migrants derail Chicago’s progressive plan to tackle homelessness? 

Web and Social Media > 36 – Podcast  

Honorable Mention

IL-24266 Where I Stay Season 2, Episode 2 “Switcheroo” 

Web and Social Media > 36 – Podcast 

 

Suzanne Hanney and David Hamilton

First Place

IL-23373 Farmers Markets 

Editing for Print or Online Publications > 19 – Publication Regularly Edited by Entrant > 19B – Magazine/Magapaper (newspaper format with magazine-style writing and design) 

Second Place

IL-23381 Shop Local: Locally Made Gift Ideas and Holiday Market Guide 

Editing for Print or Online Publications > 19 – Publication Regularly Edited by Entrant > 19B – Magazine/Magapaper (newspaper format with magazine-style writing and design)

Third Place

IL-23374 Black Owned Business Month 

Editing for Print or Online Publications > 19 – Publication Regularly Edited by Entrant > 19B – Magazine/Magapaper (newspaper format with magazine-style writing and design) 

Honorable Mention

IL-23370 Festival Guide 2024 

Editing for Print or Online Publications > 19 – Publication Regularly Edited by Entrant > 19B – Magazine/Magapaper (newspaper format with magazine-style writing and design)  

 

Tracy Ahrens

First Place

IL-20781 Bonnie No-Gloom 

Writing > Books, Short Stories, Verse > 13 – Children’s Book > 13A – Fiction 

First Place
IL-20782 The blue line 

Writing > Books, Short Stories, Verse > 16 – Creative Verse > 16C – Chapbook of poetry (a collection of poetry of no more than 40 pages written by entrant and published in book form, including electronic books). 

First Place
IL-20784 Hold me here Writing > Books, Short Stories, Verse > 16 – Creative Verse > 16A – Single poem 

Honorable Mention

IL-20785 Wings of bees Writing > Books, Short Stories, Verse > 16 – Creative Verse > 16A – Single poem

 

Teme Ring

First Place

IL-22046 Ali Clayton’s “Country Queer” is an Adventure in Laughter, Grit and Surprise 

Writing > 06 – Personality Profile > 06B – More than 750 words 

Second Place

IL-22040 Beyond Mr. Big Stuff: A Q&A with Harry Hickstein 

Writing > 06 – Personality Profile > 06B – More than 750 words 

Third Place

IL-22042 How to Shoot a Comedy Scene: A Q&A with Erin Nekervis 

Writing > 06 – Personality Profile > 06B – More than 750 words 

Honorable Mention

IL-22043 When Dave Stone Packs A Lunch, It’s a Comedy Feast 

Writing > 06 – Personality Profile > 06B – More than 750 words