Wow! It was a great 2015 for members new and experienced, in so many communications disciplines!

The judges of the National Federation of Press Women’s annual Communications Contest have rewarded 23% of Illinois Woman’s Press Association’s members for their brilliant work in 2014. We are so very proud to announce the names of these amazing professionals and congratulate them on being among the best of the best in our field! Our winners will be feted at a dinner on Saturday, September 12 in Anchorage, Alaska  – part of the 2015 NFPW National Conference.

Their deserved success serves as an inspiration to continue producing our finest work in preparation for the 2016 Mate E. Palmer Communications Contest!

Here are the winners….

F. Name L. Name Place Category
Teresa Albano First News story – Online publication
Teresa Albano First Editorial/Opinion – Online publication
Teresa Albano Third Speciality articles – Green/environmental
Teresa Albano HM Columns – Personal Opinion (bylined, not editorial)
Susan Brauer Third Special series
Susan Brauer First Book Edited by entrant
John Dick HM Columns – Personal Opinion (bylined, not editorial)
Lolita Ditzler Second Interview (radio or television)
Cecilia Green HM Single advertisements for print or electronic publication
Earchiel Johnson First News story – Online publication
Tim Libretti Second Feature story – Online publication
Tim Libretti Third Speeches
Tim Libretti First Essay, chapter, or section in a book
David Mathews Second Creative verse – Single poem
Lori Rader-Day Second Novels for adult readers (full-length, 40,000 words and up)
Elise Sims Third Magazines
Elise Sims Second News or feature release – single release
Patricia Szpekowski Third Reports (including, but not limited to, annual reports)
Patricia Szpekowski HM Brochures – Nonprofit, government, or educational
Mary Wagner First Photographer-writer
Mary Wagner Second Blogs – Corporate or for-profit
Mary Wagner HM Nonfiction books for adult readers – Biography or autobiography
Susan Webb First Editorial/Opinion – Online publication
Susan Webb Third Speciality articles – Green/environmental
Elizabeth Wheeler Second Young-adult books – Fiction
John Wojcik First Editorial/Opinion – Online publication
Marianne Wolf-Astrauskas HM Personality profile – 500 words or fewer
Marianne Wolf-Astrauskas Second Short stories – Single story
Marianne Wolf-Astrauskas First Book Edited by entrant