The Illinois Woman’s Press Association (IWPA) is proud to announce the winners of the 2023 IWPA Mate E.  Palmer Professional Communications Contest. 103 awards will be presented on May 27 at the annual awards luncheon to be held at The Public Landing in Lockport, Illinois. This year, 40 First Place winning entries have moved on to the next tier of national competition in the National Federation of Press Women’s Professional Communications Contest.  National results will be announced on June 24 during the Saturday night banquet at the NFPW conference in Cincinnati, Ohio.

 

Aharoni, Kathlee: First Place, Dying to Leave the Earth Better, Writing > 03 – In-depth Reporting

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Ahrens, Tracy: First Place, Wind, and water, Writing > Books, Short Stories, Verse > 16 – Creative Verse > 16A – Single poem

Ahrens, Tracy: Third Place, The Perennial in My Garden of Life: An Angel Blooms, Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07L – Personal essay (article from author’s perspective with single thesis, supporting statements and conclusion)

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Allen, A.: Second Place, MLK Day 2022: Voting Rights for All We Live and We Learn, Writing > 08 – Columns > 08A – General

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Brandt, Katie: First Place, Lifelong Learners, Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07D – Education

Brandt, Katie and Maes, Nancy: First Place, Family Trees, Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07J – Hobby (crafts, building, designing, construction)

Brandt, Katie and Rose, Ronit: First Place, Chicago Health Fall/Winter 2022 Issue, Editing for Print or Online Publications > 19 – Publication Regularly Edited by Entrant > 19B – Magazine/Magapaper (newspaper format with magazine-style writing and design)

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Chan Ding, Erin: First Place, Adopted from Russia, raised in America, now watching a war in Ukraine, Writing > 05 – Feature Story > 05A – Print-based newspaper

Chan Ding, Erin: First Place, Tough Transplants: Covid-19 has caused a dramatic shift in organ transplants, with rising demand and more complex surgeries — all to prolong lives, Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07M – Physical health (fitness, diet, clean lifestyle)

Chan Ding, Erin: First Place, Number of children separated from their families due to parental substance use has more than doubled, Writing > 01 – News Story > 01C – Online publication.

Chan Ding, Erin: First Place, Burned Out? You’re Not Alone. The triple whammy of the pandemic, working from home, and juggling other responsibilities have left many women at the end of their rope. Here’s how five professional women—and their very different companies—learned to adjust. Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07C – Business

Chan Ding, Erin: Second Place, End-of-life midwives ease the final passage with compassion, Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07M – Physical health (fitness, diet, clean lifestyle)

Chan Ding, Erin: Third Place, Asian-Black activism, going back decades, now is being rekindled, Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07Q – Social issues

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Conner, Lynne: First Place, Priests ‘Praise the Lord’ Before Cubs ‘Play Ball!’, Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07N – Religion

Conner, Lynne: Second Place, Success Stories: Grungy Roots, Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07C – Business

Conner, Lynne: Honorable Mention, Damage Control in the First Few Weeks of a Job Loss, Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07C – Business

Conner, Lynne: Honorable Mention, ScreenTime vs. Traditional Play: Keeping Kids Balanced, Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07M – Physical health (fitness, diet, clean lifestyle)

Conner, Lynne: Honorable mention, Friendship Foreshadowed Fathers’ Faith and Vocations, Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07N – Religion

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Cook, Marlene: First Place, Fenger News, Writing > 10 – Publications Regularly Written by Entrant > 10B – Newsletter/other publication, nonprofit, government or educational

Cook, Marlene: First Place, How Lansing Got it’s Own Museum, Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07I – History

Cook, Marlene: Second Place, The Murder of Bohemian Joe, Writing > 05 – Feature Story > 05C – Online publication

Cook, Marlene: Second Place, Lansing’s Labahn House Has ties to the Lansing Country Club, the Chicago Fire and Al Capone, Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07S – Style (fashion, interior design, furniture, architecture, landscaping, home economics)

Cook, Marlene: Third Place, Marlene’s Musings, Writing > 08 – Columns > 08A – General

Cook, Marlene: Third Place, Rispens Seeds a Growing Family business, Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07C – Business

Cook, Marlene: Honorable Mention, The Lansing Fire Department Serving Lansing for 100 Years, Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07G – Government or politics

Cook, Marlene: Honorable Mention, Lansing’s oldest church was reduced to ashes on Wednesday, January 24,1945, Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07N – Religion

Cook, Marlene: Honorable Mention, 20 Acres of Community Spirit, Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07Q – Social issues

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Cosier, Susan: First Place, Finding Refuge, Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07Q – Social issues

Cosier, Susan: First Place, Food as Medicine, Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07E – Food

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Coghlan, Emily: First Place, Wabash Partners with Feeding America to Help Fight Hunger in its Local Communities, Communications Programs and Campaigns > 48 – Public Service Program or Campaign

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Cox, Michelle: First Place, A Spying Eye, Writing > Books, Short Stories, Verse > 11 – Fiction for Adult Readers > 11A – Novels (More than 40,000 words)

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Dickey, Elizabeth: First Place, The Truth That Once Was Spoken, Speeches > 57 – Speech

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Ditzler, Lolita: Third Place, CONFIDENCE, Web and Social Media > 37 – Blog > 37C – Personal

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Fowler, Andrea: Third Place, Health Literacy Cover Section, Graphics and Design > 25 – Page Design > 25B – Magazine or magapaper (newsletter format with magazine-style writing and design)

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Friedberg, Joshua: First Place, Once Bullied for My Writing, I Got the Last Laugh; Joan Baez Strikes a New Chord with a Dylan Classic . . .; “This Music Begins on the Auction Block” . . .; 12 Contemporary Books That Will Have You Rethinking Music History, Writing > 09 – Headlines

Friedberg, Joshua: First Place, On Acceptance, Resistance, and the Last Word, Writing > 08 – Columns > 08C – Informational (how-to, Q&A, advice)

Friedberg, Joshua: First Place, CHIRP RADIO SUMMER READING LIST 2022: JOSH FRIEDBERG, Web and Social Media > 37 – Blog > 37A – Nonprofit, government or educational

Friedberg, Joshua: Second Place, Why Do So Many LGBTQIA+ People Seem to Take Issue With Pride?, Writing > 04 – Editorial/Opinion

Friedberg, Joshua: Second Place, Looking for My Patrick? Funny You Should Ask, Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07L – Personal essay (article from author’s perspective with single thesis, supporting statements, and conclusion)

Friedberg, Joshua: Second Place, First Family, Speeches > 57 – Speech

Friedberg, Joshua: Second Place, On Chairing a High School Communications Contest, Web and Social Media > 37 – Blog > 37C – Personal

Friedberg, Joshua: Second Place, 10 Unusual Items of Gratitude for May, Web and Social Media > 40 – Electronic Newsletter > 40C – Personal

Friedberg, Joshua: Second Place, Joan Baez Strikes a New Chord With a Dylan Classic: “Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright”, Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07Q – Social issues

Friedberg, Joshua: Honorable Mention, 12 Contemporary Books That Will Have You Rethinking Music History, Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07O – Reviews (any subject, must express a personal opinion)

Friedberg, Joshua: Honorable Mention, “This Music Begins on the Auction Block”: Learning in the Twenty-First Century from James Baldwin on Music, Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07I – History

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Hanney, Suzanne: First Place, The citywide planning initiative We Will Chicago surveys StreetWise vendors, Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07G – Government or politics

Hanney, Suzanne: First Place, Save Your Ash: citizen efforts to keep more trees alive in neighborhoods, Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07H – Green/Environmental  

Hanney, Suzanne: Second Place, Chicago Help Initiative: ‘It’s given me a reason to be’, Writing > 05 – Feature Story > 05B – Magazine, newsletter/other publication

Hanney, Suzanne: Second Place, Venerable Augustus Tolton: The Path to the First Black Saint?, Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07N – Religion

Hanney, Suzanne: Second Place, Making Votes Count: Remapping Chicago’s Wards, Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07G – Government or politics

Hanney, Suzanne: Second Place, ‘The Godfather of World Music’: Ravi Shankar exhibit at South Asia Institute, Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07B – Arts and entertainment (enter reviews in 7O)

Hanney, Suzanne: Second Place, Artist Pamela Bannos Uncovers the Hidden Truths of the City of Chicago Cemetery and Lincoln Park, Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07I – History

Hanney, Suzanne: Second Place, Ukrainian Village, Editing for Print or Online Publications > 19 – Publication Regularly Edited by Entrant > 19B – Magazine/Magapaper (newspaper format with magazine-style writing and design)

Hanney, Suzanne: Third Place, Zoning code encourages development of Chicago landmarks, Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07G – Government or politics

Hanney, Suzanne: Third Place, Guide to 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)

Hanney, Suzanne: Honorable Mention, MLK Day 2022: Voting Rights for All, Editing for Print or Online Publications > 19 – Publication Regularly Edited by Entrant > 19B – Magazine/Magapaper (newspaper format with magazine-style writing and design)

Hanney, Suzanne: Honorable Mention, Pullman and the Labor Movement, Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07I – History

Hanney, Suzanne: Honorable Mention, Juneteenth: the second U.S. Independence Day, Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07I – History

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Heise, Kenan: First Place, What 16 Years of Writing Obituaries Taught Me About Inequality, and Ways to Resist, Writing > 08 – Columns > 08A – General

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Hosek, Frank: First Place, A tree-top escape, Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07T – Travel

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Jacobson, Alexandria: First Place, AI Ethics: A Guide to Ethical AI, Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07P – Science or technology

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Kalmar, Melanie: First Place, Passive Neglect, Writing > 05 – Feature Story > 05B – Magazine, newsletter/other publication

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Kapetan, Stella: Third Place, Restoration of Louis Sullivan-Designed Holy Trinity Cathedral, Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07I – History

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Kupfer, Trevor: First Place, Like Father, Like Daughter, Writing > 06 – Personality Profile > 06B – More than 750 words

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Lindenfeld Hall, Sarah: Third Place, A Life with Meaning, Writing > 05 – Feature Story > 05B – Magazine, newsletter/other publication

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McGrath, Bonnie: Honorable Mention, The day Gloria Steinem came to my house and I couldn’t think of a thing to say, Web and Social Media > 37 – Blog > 37C – Personal

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McGue, Julie: First Place, Five Things I’ve Learned As a Surviving Spouse, Web and Social Media > 37 – Blog > 37C – Personal

McGue, Julie: First Place, Stuff I’ve Learned from My Husband’s Cell Phone, Writing > 08 – Columns > 08D – Personal opinion (bylined, not editorial)

McGue, Julie: First Place, Empathy: The Ripple Effect, Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07L – Personal essay (article from author’s perspective with single thesis, supporting statements, and conclusion)

McGue, Julie: Second Place, What to Say to Ridiculous People in Unbearable Situations, Writing > Books, Short Stories, Verse > 17 – Essay, Chapter, or Section in a Book

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Morgan, Bradley: First Place, It’s Time We Hung Out At Joe’s Garage With Frank Zappa Again, Writing > 05 – Feature Story > 05C – Online publication

Morgan, Bradley: First Place, Toy: David Bowie and the Internet Age, Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07B – Arts and entertainment (enter reviews in 7O)

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Newman, Janice Renee & Jemilo, Matthew: First Place, Y? Why Not! Topic: Foster Care (Part 1 & 2),Radio and Television > 29 – Special Programming > 29B – Television

Newman, Janice Renee & Jemilo, Matthew: First Place, Y? Why Not! Topic: Understanding Suicide & Prevention with guest speaker Anthony Ward, Jr., Radio and Television > 31 – Talk Show > 31B – Television

Newman, Janice Renee: First Place, Y? Why Not! Show – Topic: Living with Comedy with guest: comedian Ralphie Roberts Radio and Television > 30 – Interview > 30B – Television

Newman, Janice Renee & Jemilo, Matthew: Second Place, Y? Why Not! Topic: Spiritual Faith In Professional Sports with Kevin Porter, Washington Wizards, Radio and Television > 30 – Interview > 30B – Television

Newman, Janice Renee: Second Place, Y? Why Not! Show Topic: Becoming A Real Estate Appraiser with guest John Brenan, Chief Appraiser, Radio and Television > 31 – Talk Show > 31B – Television

Newman, Janice Renee & Jemilo, Matthew: Third Place, Y? Why Not! Topic: Aging Out of Foster Care with Guest Eva Williams, Radio and Television > 30 – Interview > 30B – Television

Newman, Janice Renee & Jemilo, Matthew: Third Place, Y? Why Not!. Show – Topic: Current Real Estate Market Trends, Radio and Television > 31 – Talk Show > 31B – Television

Newman, Janice Renee: Third Place, God Defies All Odds, Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07N – Religion

Newman, Janice Renee & Jemilo, Matthew: Honorable Mention, Y? Why Not! Show: Topic: Life After Foster Care with guest, Eva Williams, Radio and Television > 31 – Talk Show > 31B – Television

Newman, Janice Renee & Jemilo, Matthew: Honorable Mention, Y? Why Not! – Topic: Recognizing Signs of Domestic Violence with guest speaker Anthony Ward, Jr., Radio and Television > 30 – Interview > 30B – Television

Newman, Janice Renee: Honorable Mention, Y? Why Not! Show – YouTube Channel, Web and Social Media > 39 – Social Media Presence > 39A – Nonprofit, government or educational

Newman, Janice Renee: Honorable Mention, Entrepreneurs: Are They Born or Made? Nature vs Nurture, Writing > 05 – Feature Story > 05B – Magazine, newsletter/other publication

Newman, Janice Renee: Honorable Mention, It’s “RE” Time! 3 Motivational Tips to Improve Your Life One “RE” at a Time, Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07M – Physical health (fitness, diet, clean lifestyle)

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Richardson, Randy: First Place, The Hockey Helmet, Writing > Books, Short Stories, Verse > 17 – Essay, Chapter, or Section in a Book

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Rosen, Wendy: First Place, Cook County Diverts Predicted COVID-19 Eviction Avalanche, Writing > 01 – News Story > 01B – Magazine, newsletter/other print publication

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Schulze, Emilie: First Place, Schneider Debuts Zero-Emission Electric Trucks Into Its Fleet, Information for the Media > 56 – Media Pitch

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Strauss-Lipkin, Judi: Honorable Mention, Chicago Honors The Black Mozart, Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07B – Arts and entertainment (enter reviews in 7O)

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Sullivan, Erin: First Place, Spice of Life: Embracing cultural traditions engages seniors, honoring their heritage, Graphics and Design > 25 – Page Design > 25B – Magazine or magapaper (newsletter format with magazine-style writing and design)

Sullivan, Erin: Second Place, Caregiving magazine cover Winter/Spring 2022, Graphics and Design > 25 – Page Design > 25B – Magazine or magapaper (newsletter format with magazine-style writing and design)

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Szpekowski, Pat: Second Place, Transforming O’Hare, Writing > 01 – News Story > 01B – Magazine, newsletter/other print publication

Szpekowski, Pat: Second Place, Ottawa – Pick Your Own Adventure this Season, Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07T – Travel

Szpekowski, Pat: Third Place, Christkindlmarket: The German Tradition Comes to Aurora, Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07B – Arts and entertainment (enter reviews in 7O)

Szpekowski, Pat: Third Place, Bishop David J. Malloy-Rockford Diocese Marks a Decade of Change, Writing > 06 – Personality Profile > 06B – More than 750 words

Szpekowski, Pat: Honorable Mention, On the Move: Guler Appliance Outgrows Its Midtown Home, Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07C – Business

Szpekowski, Pat: Honorable Mention, Anniversary Quilt Created with Love, Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07N – Religion

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Thomas, Anne: Honorable Mention, My Chickadee, Writing > Books, Short Stories, Verse > 12 – Nonfiction Book for Adult Readers > 12A – Autobiography or Memoir

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Weldon, Michele: First Place, Johnny Depp and Amber Heard Trial is horrifying to domestic violence survivors like me, Writing > 04 – Editorial/Opinion

Weldon, Michele: Second Place, The Best Made Plans, Writing > 08 – Columns > 08D – Personal opinion (bylined, not editorial)

Weldon, Michele: Second Place, Say My Name: Fang Cheng Leading As Authentic Tech Innovator, Writing > 06 – Personality Profile > 06B – More than 750 words

Weldon, Michele: Third Place, Want to fight off stress? Here’s The Key, Writing > 05 – Feature Story > 05C – Online publication

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Wolf-Astrauskas, Marianne: First Place, 1972 SFA/JCHS 50th Class Reunion, Graphics and Design > 26 – Book Designed by Entrant