Association for Women Journalists Chicago AWJ News

NABJ 2010 Conference Has Its Highs

Sylvia Franklin — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 17:46:20 GMT

By Nykeya Woods

The Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego hosted the annual National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) Convention in late July. Dubbed NABJ@35, the conference and career fair brought together thousands of journalists, media professionals and celebrities.

Undoubtedly, the biggest draw at the convention was former U.S. Department of Agriculture Director Shirley Sherrod who participated in the opening session. Sherrod gained media attention after conservative writer/blogger Andrew Breitbart posted controversial video of her March 2010 speech at the NAACP. Sherrod spoke about financial assistance for farmers – a white farmer in her example, that lead to her dismissal. Sherrod vowed to seek legal action against Breitbart, whose edited video excerpts painted Sherrod as racist.

Despite the overreaction from both her former employer and the White House, Sherrod remains adamant about agricultural sustainability and the future of black farmers.

“Farmers are still losing. Black farmers are still losing,” Sherrod said. “We’re losing them at such an alarming rate that we might not have any black owned farm land. That’s a real issue for me.”

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Dr. Mehmet Oz of “The Dr. Oz Show” spoke about health and how journalists can interpret for those who are suffering, specifically in the African-American community. Oz, who still performs 250 surgeries a year, said the media talks to tens of thousands of people and can easily help influence a healthy lifestyle. “African-American women, especially, are activists. They are the ones who live in their communities and can fight the health battle,” stated Oz.

NABJ’s health initiative continued with the introduction of a Health Pavilion. Its purpose -- to teach the public about wellbeing. Several sessions where scheduled including, “The Doctors Are In: Checkup on National Health Reform,” “Closing the Healthcare Gap,” and “Coping with Change.”

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Technology hadn’t escaped NABJ 2010. The Hyatt was wifi-ready, with Twitter, primarily, enabling journalists to communicate. Hashtag #NABJ10 was clearly visible throughout the conference, both online and off. Several multimedia sessions were offered, including a workshop for journalists on producing packages.
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Chairman of the Republican National Committee, Michael Steele, was scheduled to speak with CNN’s Roland Martin. Unfortunately, two hours before the event, Steele developed food poisoning and cancelled his appearance.

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To learn more on San Diego history, journalists had the opportunity to explore the USS Midway undefined one of the Navy’s longest-serving aircraft carriers. The decommissioned ship hosted the NABJ opening reception and was turned into a museum in 2004. The vessel is the size of three football fields and weighs 70,000 tons.

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Besides visiting ships, journalists had the chance to check out several screenings including the next installment in the notable documentary series “The Black List Vol. 3,” NBC’s new spy drama “Undercovers” and HBO/Spike Lee’s “If God Is Willing and da Creek Don't Rise,” a sequel to his award-winning documentary “When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts.”

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During the NABJ’s Salute to Excellence Awards, several journalists were recognized including Journalist of the Year Soledad O’Brien, Lifetime Achievement Award winner Paul Delaney, Legacy Award winner Paula Madison, Emerging Journalist of the Year Michael Feeney, and Community Service Award winner Michelle Singletary. And finally, an award for Student Journalist of the Year was given to Philip Lucas from Howard University.

First AWJ Picnic’s The Charm

Sylvia Franklin — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 13:29:40 GMT

Jordan Owen tells us why she became a member

by Jordan Owen

As a new AWJ-Chicago student member, I must admit that I was a little nervous about my first picnic… but now I consider myself an old pro and can’t wait for the next one. And no, it’s not just because I enjoyed the wine and spectacular view at Pegasus!

I was introduced to AWJ through its fabulous president Karen Kring. My boss at my summer internship made the introduction. And Karen, who immediately took an interest in my career and goals as a college student, encouraged me to get involved with AWJ. Luckily, I took her advice.

I’m an intern at WGN Radio News, so I’m more of an aspiring journalist. But that didn’t stop me from joining.

One way I got involved was by volunteering for the AWJ Picnic Raffle. I spent the few weeks before the raffle tracking down items, meeting many cool women (and men!) who generously donated equally cool gifts. I don’t know about the rest of the attendees, but for me the raffle was one of the highlights of the night!

I’ve learned that the best way to benefit as a member of AWJ is to get involved – offer to volunteer some time or contribute to the website, and you’ll be amazed by how many people you get to meet.

That happened on the evening of the picnic – I checked-in other members as they arrived. I was so pleasantly surprised by the friendliness of every member I spoke with, that I had imagined a more competitive environment. With every sector of the industry represented by journalists from different publications and stations, I couldn’t have been more wrong.

It’s amazing to observe such a talented group of women bonding together and genuinely enjoying themselves, and each other.

My excitement grew that night by speaking with successful women journalists, but what I couldn’t have anticipated was their reciprocated interest in me! Everyone I spoke with asked me questions about myself and genuinely cared about what I had to say.

When I joined AWJ, I was interested in networking. I wanted to make connections in the industry and get my name out. After all, come next spring I’ll be on the lookout for my dream job. But after the picnic, I realized there are more benefits to AWJ than just passing out business cards and resumes. Not only does AWJ provide a way to network, but it also provides a support system.

I met women who not only are well established journalists, but less experienced women like myself who are just embarking on their careers. Where else do you get to know professional journalists from every walk of life? AWJ.

The picnic reinforced my decision to be part of the industry I have always wanted to work in.

So thank you to all the lovely ladies of AWJ for being not just an inspiring group, but a very welcoming one as well.

Why Leah Pietrusiak bid on air time with Rick Kogan

AWJ News — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 00:04:08 GMT

During AWJ's recent online auction, member Leah Pietrusiak placed the top bid for being on the radio with Rick Kogan. AWJ President Karen Kring asked her what inspired her to bid and what she wants to talk about with Rick. Here's her reply:

When I was in journalism school and people would ask me what I wanted to write about, I would always say, "I just want to write about people." And when I first read Rick's "Sidewalks" column in the Trib, I was like, Ah! I want to meet him. I always thought about asking him out to lunch, but never went through with it.

I've thought about contacting him on and off over the years, for inspiration. I've been working on a book of short stories centered around my dad's parents and their house in Humboldt Park—my grampa, who passed away a year ago, lived in the same house in for over 80 years. It's the same three-flat I live in now, on the second floor apartment above my gramma. It's the house where my dad grew up and my uncles grew up, and their cousins too, on the floors above.

The book will basically be Chicago history told through my family's stories. My uncle once grabbed my dad's collar (my dad left the priesthood to marry my mom) to go out and see if he could help in any way during the Puerto Rican riots of the '60s and '70s. My grampa delivered bread by horse through the streets of Chicago. And my grandparents never moved out of Humboldt Park as the neighborhood changed; when it started becoming Puerto Rican, they stayed at the church they'd worshiped at for so long, welcomed their new neighbors and learned to sing some of the songs in Spanish.

As I'm thinking about it, that's something I might like to talk about—and just about storytelling, and how Rick collects information. It'll motivate me to work more on the stories in preparation for the show, and finally push through and get the book done. Rick Kogan and deadlines—two great motivators!

Want to be on the radio with Rick Kogan?

Karen Kring — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 13:04:59 GMT

For the benefit of AWJ-TV's continuing education program, Tribune columnist and WGN Radio host Rick Kogan is allowing us to auction the chance to be on his radio show.

The winner of this online/silent auction and three friends can join Rick in studio during his “The Sunday Papers” program, 6:30-9 a.m. Sundays, and get the chance to be on the air for a segment of the show. In addition, the winner will receive autographed copies of Rick “A Chicago Tavern: A Goat, a Curse, and the American Dream,” his history of the Billy Goat, and “Sidewalks,” a collection of his Tribune columns, embellished by the photography of Charles Osgood. Rick might also pop for coffee and donuts 'cause that's the kind of guy he is.

Bidding has begun. Here's how it works:

Anyone--journalists and the public alike--is encouraged to bid. Bidding starts at $50. Bidders can up their bids in $5 increments. Bids should be sent to awjraffle@gmail.com.

Fine print: If there is more than one bid of $50, the first email received will hold that bid, a practice that will continue as the bids increase. For example, if two bids come in for $200, the first one to arrive will hold the $200 spot until a higher bid is made.

Announcements of the amount and name of the high bidder will be emailed frequently to all bidders, but certainly as least once daily, early in the morning.

Bidders should include a name, address and telephone number on the bid email. The address and telephone number will not be shared, but your name will be included when the updated bid announcements are emailed.

Online bidding closes at 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, July 28, the day before the picnic, where members can have one last chance to be the highest bidder. The winner will be announced the evening of July 29.

If you have any questions, contact the multi-talented Terri Colby at terricolby@gmail.com.

Raffle and Auction Fun to be had at our annual Summer Picnic July 29

AWJ News — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 19:24:08 GMT

.
Update: These new prizes join the list of goodies:

A 7-hour trolley tour of "Obamaland" and the Loop on Wednesday, August 25 with National Federation of Press Women conference attendees, courtesy of the Illinois Women's Press Association.

Also from the Illinois Women's Press Association, a one-day workshops pass
to the National Federation of Press Women conference for either Friday, Aug. 27 or Saturday, Aug. 28 at the Union League Club of Chicago.

Signed copies of "John Paul Stevens: An Independent Life" by Bill Barnhart and "The Foie Gras Wars" by Mark Caro. Both writers are noted Chicago journalists.

"Just Me and the Trees", a children's book and CD on meditation, plus a DVD, "The Dance," a moving meditation, from Geri Hearne and Joy Media.

One-hour of writing coaching from "Cancer Bitch" author/blogger and writing coach Sandi Wisenberg.

and

A yoga lesson with yoga instructor Mary Schmich, who's also a Tribune columnist.

An original Brenda Starr comic from Brenda Starr writer Mary Schmich. Yes, that Mary Schmich.

Pulitzer Prize-winner, book author and literary critic Julia Keller, Tribune's cultural critic, will contact the raffle winner to discover her literary tastes, select a book just for her and have it delivered.

A CD by jazz vocalist and songwriter Lucy Smith.

A portrait of you or your family by Sun-Times Media's Joel Lerner.

A collection of items from Steve Dahl.

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Now's a great time to join AWJ, not just because of the summer dues deal we have running, but because only members can come to the picnic and the picnic is going to be especially fun this year.

We'll be raffling some unique and interesting items and auctioning a special opportunity to benefit AWJ-TV's continuing education program.

The online/silent auction winner and three friends can join WGN radio host Rick Kogan in studio during his “The Sunday Papers” program, 6:30-9 a.m. Sundays, and get the chance to be on the air for a segment of the show. In addition, you’ll receive autographed copies of Rick “A Chicago Tavern,” his history of the Billy Goat, and “Sidewalks,” a collection of his Tribune columns, embellished by the photography of Charles Osgood. Rick might also pop for coffee and donuts.

Other generous members and colleagues have donated rare items too. Raffle participants have the chance to win:

Five iTunes gift cards preloaded with a mix of 20 songs by Latin music artists who are signed under the Nacional Records label donated by our friends at Cafe Media.

Mexican cooking lesson with The Other Side of the Tortilla blogger Maura Wall Hernandez.

Vegan chocolate chip cookies and a signed copy of her new book Vegan Baking Classics by Food Allergy Mama Kelly Woyan Rudnicki.

The Indian Slow Cooker”, a new book by Indian As Apple Pie blogger Anupy Singla along with a one-hour class with her on Indian spicing and how to store them and use them.

A portrait to be made of the winner or their family by Karen Kring.

The Dancing Onyx necklace handmade by artisans from the Western Cape province of South Africa is donated by Megy Karydes and her shop World Shoppe.

A signed copy of the recently released book “Last Words of the Executed," by Robert K. Elder, which is being favorably reviewed nationally and internationally. Studs Terkel wrote the forward.

Blackhawks dishtowels donated by Susan Stevens.

Fleece blankets from our friends at the Chicago Tribune.

Books and CDs from our friends at WBEZ.

If you have an item you'd like to donate, please contact the generous and organized Terri Colby.

Raffle tickets will be $5 each or 5 tickets for $20.

So, bring your check book or cash to the picnic July 29 to possibly win something great and certainly help colleagues in their professional development.

Listserv to Turn 10: Why It Works by Karen Kring

AWJ News — Wed, 19 May 2010 14:47:00 GMT

Happy Anniversary to AWJ and its listserv.

Started in September 2000, the AWJ-Chicago listserv continues to encourage discussion about issues important to Chicago journalists, professional development and camaraderie.

After participating on the National Press Photographers Association's listserv for a while, I knew a listserv would do good things for AWJ by helping connect members outside of in-person meetings. I was thrilled when I heard Yahoo created their Groups tool, which made it easy for me to get it going. Beverly Bennett holds a special place in my heart; she was the first member to sign up. Posts are not individually screen before going live, but they are monitored. This, as well as exclusivity of membership, has helped keep the listserv lively and useful. Only those involved in journalism can participate. After someone is added, they are invited to introduce themselves with a post. This helps us know who we are talking to and how we might be able to help them get where they are going. We have more than 650 members now, most from the Chicago area, but a few from out-of-state. I wish more would post, but listening is appreciated too.

The listserv is a great place for:
- inviting people to events or to check out a story
- announcing what you are working on
- expressing an opinion and starting a discussion
- sharing job info
- posting questions and a need for advice
- pointing out the good work of a colleague

Because we aim to keep this rare and special space as productive as possible, what is unacceptable is:
- Anything that includes the words "For Immediate Release", because this listserv is not a PR wire service. One the other hand, if you have a lead on a potentially interesting story, do share. Best to use your judgment. For example, if your story idea is about your friend who just opened up a brownie shop that employs previously incarcerated people and you don't know who should get this information, consider asking the listserv who the food, business and news reporters are or who we think might be interested in such a story. Key is to talk to us, don't spam us.

- Unproductive language or exchanges, because it is offensive to individuals and the group and degrades the usefulness of this space. Some of us are tougher than others, but few have the time to weed through insults or flaming. It is easier to unsubscribe. Over the years, a few have been put on moderation. By the way, you can be switched to "no email" if you like. This will allow you to check in on the conversations going on via the web and contribute, but not receive email in your inbox. I just flipped that switch for someone recently. Daily digest is good too. This will allow you to only receive one email per day at most.

- Being continually off-topic, because this is for conversations about the journo/news/media/publishing business. On the other hand, if, for example, you are selling your house and want us to know about it, that is newsy and possibly useful information.

Thank you to the women and men who have shared valuable information and participated in the discussion and kept it civil.

Maura Wall Hernandez and I are the current moderators. If you have any questions about appropriateness of a post, we can help advise you.

Karen Kring is a photographer, journalists, educator and media strategist running Kring Lerner Group. She's currently AWJ-Chicago president.

TIME OUT CHICAGO: Keeping an eye on online and the bottom line by Erin Muldoon

Karen Kring — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 02:14:56 GMT

Most unemployed journalists today know to expect a query such as “Where would you like to be in five years' time?” during a job interview – and they know the smart answer is a positive affirmation toward the company in question. But turn the tables these days and ask where a media firm will be in five years, and the answer is likely to be one big shrug.

“I don't know, I'm not going to lie to you,” said John W. Cary. “No one knows.”

Welcome to the wonderful world of the digital media landscape.

Cary is the online director of Time Out Chicago, a 5-year-old print and online magazine that covers all things entertainment in the Chicago area. Its website stories run the gamut from restaurant and film reviews, to concert listings to the latest in comedy, sports and theater. A sample of recent features included “Wild About Style” and the edgier “Love Bites: An S&M Coming-Out Story.”

In many ways, TOC is a savvy mix of the best of RedEye and Metromix, two of Chicago's publications geared toward the young, single adult. But like many online magazines that try to be comprehensive and definitive in scope, TOC is experiencing growth while it continues to reevaluate its operations and business model and ultimately meet the bottom line.

A digital media professional since 1994, Cary was tapped in October to lead Time Out Chicago interactive initiatives. Under his leadership, TOC's online operation has expanded and has become less dependent on its New York counterparts.

“We want more content, daily content, real-time content” that will drive more page views and unique visitors, Cary said. New blogs, in particular, will play a big part as the website undergoes a formidable design and infrastructure renovation that should be completed in June. A quick tour of TOC's blogs reveals some that have not been updated in months.

Cary is also developing partnerships with other web-based businesses including Groupon and Babelgum to increase cross-linking opportunities. But the hard questions that Cary asks himself daily are these: Is TOC meeting the city entertainment needs of its young adult audience? And are the number of eyeballs on its pages – the concern of online marketers and advertisers, and thus media outlets – satisfying the economic realities?

TOC's audience, of which more than half are young, educated women, holds a niche that is attractive to advertisers, Cary said. Still, Cary said his planning calendar looks only about one year ahead – not five years – and is being reevaluated every 6 months as the business model for online publishing evolves and grows.

Freelance writers and photographers can find work at TOC, Cary said. In particular, TOC is looking to increase the volume and quality of its photos in slide shows and interactive features, he said.

An enterprising journalist, after doing her homework on TOC, should pitch ideas to section editors, Cary said. A listing of names and titles can be found on TOC's website under “Contact Us.”

Erin Muldoon hates to be a statistic, but is indeed an unemployed journalist. She is a former senior editor and writer at Playboy.com, an assistant news editor at a California daily newspaper, and a copy editor and designer at The Times-Picayune in New Orleans. She is looking for an editorial job.

AWJ Members News - February 2010 edition

Maura Wall Hernandez — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 04:03:23 GMT

ANNUAL MEETING WRAP-UP

Thank you to all our officers for their hard work in putting together this year's meeting, and to our members who volunteered to help make the meeting a success. More than 180 people attended the meeting held January 28, 2010 at CBS-2 Chicago studios. The keynote speech, titled "Work-Live-Innovate," was given by Sarah Nordgren, deputy managing editor of global staff recruiting and director of state news for the Associated Press. Audio from Nordgren's speech is available in the Chicago Amplified archive.

AWJ welcomes new board members
Maura Wall Hernandez - Vice President for New Media/Technology
Tina Sfondeles - Co-Secretary
Kim Mance - Member-at-Large
Ruhan Memishi - Member-at-Large
Dawn Raftery - Member-at-Large

Learn more about the new board members and which committees they serve on by visiting the board member bios.

2010 Scholarship Winners
Lauren Bohn and Whitney Harding, both of Northwestern's Medill School of Journalism, were awarded AWJ scholarships at the annual meeting. The 2010 Joy Darrow Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Alyssa Eisenstein, also of Medill. Read Robin Florzak's piece to learn more about Lauren, Whitney and Alyssa.

MEMBER WORK UPDATES

    •    Veronica Arreola and Keidra Chaney both have articles in the latest printed issue of Bitch Magazine. Veronica's interview with Rana Husseini, a Jordanian journalist who documents so-called honor killings around the world, appears on page 11. Keidra's book review of Ad Nauseam: A Survivor's Guide to American Consumer Culture appears on page 60.
    •    Kim Mance is currently working on the first Insiders' Guide to Chicago, commissioned by Globe Pequot Press.
    •    Kelly Rudnicki's book "Food Allergy Mama's Guide to Baking" was published in the fall. You can order a copy of the book directly from her website, FoodAllergyMama.com.
    •    Sally Duros is offering consulting services for legacy news, membership organizations and others who are activating online and social media networks. Specific services include program development, grant writing and entrepreneurial coaching services for future newsrooms and their leadership.
    •    Want to let others know what new projects you're involved in or new services you're providing? Fill out your profile in the AWJ Member Directory.

UPCOMING AWJ EVENTS

Book It!
A panel discussion on getting published

Do you have a great book idea in your head, or even on paper, but don't know what to do with it? Come to AWJ's Book It!, a panel discussion among authors and publishing industry insiders, who can address every aspect of taking a work—fiction or non-fiction—from idea to bookshelf.

Panelists will discuss topics such as getting your foot in the door with publishers, working with editors, and hiring an agent. Audience members will have the chance to pepper the panelists with all of their burning questions.

Thursday, March 4, 2010
6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Columbia College Chicago
33 E. Congresss Pkwy, Room C219
FREE for AWJ members and Columbia College faculty and students (with ID)
$10 for non-members

Register at www.awj-chicago.org/events.

Questions? Contact AWJ program committee chair Amy Bernstein at amywb50@hotmail.com.

OTHER UPCOMING EVENTS

    •    Web Analytics 101 for small business owners and non-profit professionals with The Web Farmers
Tuesday, February 23, 6-8 pm

Do you have Google Analytics (or a similar free analytics tool) installed for your website? Learn how to do more than just ogle pageview traffic everyday. The instructors at The Web Farm love this stuff and want to help you learn more. This workshop is for small business owners or non-profit professionals who are new to online marketing, or who are eyeing a revamp of their web presence. Cost is $20 per person and includes complimentary wine.

For more information, visit The Web Farm online.

    •    SAVE THE DATE: Announcing Chicago's 2010 WITASWAN program, sponsored this year by The Chicago YIVO Society (with additional support from AAUW/Chicago, Cinema/Chicago, IWA, IWPA, & the Jewish Genealogical Society of Illinois).
This year their special guest will be journalist/filmmaker Eileen Douglas (accompanied by her producing partner Ron Steinman), & they have scheduled screenings on March 24 and 25. Both screenings are free & open to the public.

Screening #1: Weds PM March 24 from 6:30 to 8:30 PM at the Harold Washington Library Center (Chicago Loop)
Screening #2: Thurs PM March 25 from 12:15 PM to 2 PM at Skokie Public Library (Skokie)

Click here for a flyer to download with more information.

AWARDS

The Chicago Foundation for Women announced Veronica Arreola and Tracy Baim as two of the 25 honorees for the 2010 Impact Awards. All honorees will be recognized with a reception at the Chicago Cultural Center on Wednesday, March 24, 2010.

Veronica I. Arreola is a professional feminist, mom and blogger, as well as director of UIC's Women In Science & Engineering program. She is a dedicated member of Chicago's feminist community, and a featured blogger at Work It, Mom!, Kenneth Cole's AWEARNESS blog, WIMN's Voices and Chicago Parent. Her writing has been featured in Bitch magazine and RH Reality Check. She is a frequent speaker on education equity, reproductive justice and feminist parenting. Veronica frequently appears as a guest on local radio media and television as well as the Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times.

Tracy Baim is the publisher and managing editor of Windy City Media Group. In May 2009, Tracy marked her 25th anniversary in Chicago LGBT media, having started at GayLife newspaper in 1984. Tracy is founder of Windy City Times, as well as the Chicago Area Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. She was recognized as one of Crain's Chicago Business 40-Under-40 leaders, received the 2005 Studs Terkel Award, and has been inducted into Chicago's Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame. She served as vice co-chair of Gay Games VII. In 2008, she edited "Out and Proud in Chicago: An Overview of the City's Gay Community." In 2009, she produced "Hannah Free," a film based on the award-winning stage play by Claudia Allen.

Please see the foundation's website for more information and instructions how to purchase tickets to attend.

BROADS ABROAD
Olivia Cobiskey, former AWJ secretary, is currently serving her second year-long tour in Iraq. She is a public affairs officer and works with the Iraqi media. She helps monitor Pan-Arab print, broadcast, radio, and Web news outlets and produces two broadcast reports and a newspaper report daily. She helps facilitate Pan-Arab media interviews with government and military officials both Iraqi and American. She escorts Pan-Arab and western media to press conferences at her office, the Combined Press Information Center in Baghdad. She will be returning in August; however, she may be deployed to Africa next.

Mindy Arbaugh, former AWJ treasurer, will be moving to Singapore this spring with her husband and children for the next few years. She hopes to blog about her experiences as well as do some freelance writing. You can keep in touch with Mindy by looking her up in AWJ's member directory.

AWJ FAMILY NEWS
    •    Kelly Rudnicki & family welcomed a healthy and handsome baby boy, Michael James, on Thursday, February 11, 2010.
    •    Carlos Hernandez Gomez, husband of Randi Belisomo (CLTV), passed away in January 2010.
Carlos William Hernandez, age 36, husband of Randi, nee Belisomo; son of Myrna Gomez and Carlos Hernandez; stepson of Thomas Kinsella; brother of Jason, Danielle and Jonathan Hernandez; uncle of Ava and Sophie Hernandez and Hannah Belisomo. Funeral services were held at St. John Cantius Catholic Church. Interment Mt. Carmel Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center at Northwestern Memorial Hospital or Living Water International.
    •    Taylor Michelle Russell, daughter of Melanie Palmer (Chicago Public Radio) passed away in January 2010.
She leaves to cherish her memory, a loving mother, Melanie Palmer and father, Dewayne Russell; maternal grandparents Murphy (Las Vegas) and Luella Palmer; paternal great-grandmother, Gracie Russell (Huntsville, AL); paternal grandparents, Joe and Ethel Russell; aunts: Valerie Ransom (Greenville, MS), Sheila Palmer, Michelle Redd, Adrienne Palmer, TaK'iya Renfo, Rhonda Fitzhugh (Helena, AR), Jackie Mason and Ashanti Barlow; uncles: Anthony Palmer, Patrick Palmer and Larry Pinchon (Huntsville, AL). Special aunts: Candice Waddles, Pamela Parker, Tricia Mosley, Tarcus Allen and the women of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (Alpha Theta & Chicago Alumnae Chapters); special uncles: Kevin Williams, Charles Bussell, Robert Christopher and George Brown; cousins: Dominique Ransom, Demetrius Young II, Whitney Gary, Deanna Young, Jayla Anderson and Melvana Ransom; special cousins: Jordan and Brandon Williams. Godfathers Rev. Romell (La Tashia) Williams, Jr. and Timothy (Wendy) Clark; and a host of other devoted relatives, loved ones and friends.

On December 13, 2009, The Taylor Michelle Russell Foundation (TMRF) was founded by her aunt Michelle Redd. The mission of her foundation is to give Children who suffer from MAS and HLH the chance of a lifetime. The initial vision of the foundation was that Taylor would be her own spokesperson helping other children have the chance of a lifetime, in essence children helping children.

Send all updates for AWJ News to Maura Wall Hernandez at mwall.hernandez [at] gmail [dot] com.

Meet AWJ's 2010 scholarship winners

Karen Kring — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:24:05 GMT

AWJ-Chicago awarded three Northwestern University journalism students $1,500 scholarships at our annual meeting hosted by CBS 2 Chicago’s studios Jan. 28. AWJ’s scholarship committee selected Alyssa Eisenstein, Lauren Bohn and Whitney Harding to receive scholarships from a pool of 30 applicants based on essays they submitted as well as their academic and professional accomplishments.

Eisenstein—a triple major in journalism, international and African studies at Northwestern—was awarded the Joy Darrow Memorial Scholarship, which AWJ gives annually to a woman journalism student pursuing a career in alternative journalism. Eisenstein got her first taste of journalism at Highland Park High School in her hometown of Highland Park, Ill., where she launched “Illini Hoops Report” about the University of Illinois men’s basketball team and its quest for a national championship. She won a Crystal Pillar Student Emmy from the Midwest National Academy of Arts and Sciences for her work on the program and was featured in the Chicago Tribune, National Public Radio and WGN-TV. During high school she also hosted “Spotlight,” a global affairs broadcast focusing on issues such as poverty, the global AIDS pandemic and genocide in Darfur. The program was named best high school newscast on YouTube by TIME magazine blogger Christine Gorman.

At Northwestern, Eisenstein has been involved in Schmooze magazine, Northwestern News Network’s SportsNight, Delta Gamma sorority, Dance Marathon and the Global Engagement Summit. She is particularly passionate about Africa, where she has spent extensive time studying, working and traveling. During her sophomore year at Northwestern she studied global health at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda. Eisenstein also spent a summer in Uganda working for the United Nations World Food Programme, filming relief and recovery operations in the war-torn region of northern Uganda. This past spring, she completed Medill’s Journalism Residency in Johannesburg, South Africa. For ETV’s “3rd Degree” weekly investigative program, she co-produced an investigation of police brutality in a small town in South Africa. Eisenstein has also worked in media relations for U.S. Senator Richard Durbin (D.-Ill.) and for the International Crisis Group in Washington, D.C. After college she hopes to join the Peace Corps and work either in international reporting or for an international organization.

Eisenstein was presented her scholarship award by AWJ member Tracy Baim, publisher of the Windy City Media Group and the late Joy Darrow’s daughter. Baim and her siblings established the award to honor Darrow’s work as a reporter, photographer and editor, as well as a human rights and racial justice activist known for her strong commitment to ethics, fairness and equality.

Bohn and Harding were named AWJ Scholars for 2010 and were presented their awards by AWJ member Suzanne Hanney, editor-in-chief of Streetwise. A native of West Chester, Penn., Bohn admitted in her essay to a “proclivity to report in seemingly dangerous neighborhoods and countries.” She traveled with the nuns from her suburban Philadelphia high school to construct a school on the Haitian-Dominican Republic border. During her undergraduate study at New York University, she helped facilitate exchanges with Ghana and Abu Dhabi. She has held internships with CBS News, Time magazine and CNN. At CNN Bohn worked with anchor Soledad O’Brien on the “Latino in America” and "Black in America" documentaries and with chief international correspondent Christiane Amanpour on the “Generation Islam” documentary.

Harding, who hails from The Woodlands, Texas, a suburb north of Houston, is a self-described “sports junkie.” She was a competitive gymnast for 17 years and received a scholarship to be on North Carolina State University’s NCAA gymnastics team. After suffering a career-ending injury, Whitney transferred to Southern Methodist University, where she channeled her passion for sports into sports reporting and graduated with a bachelor's degree in broadcast journalism in 2008. Harding is now a graduate broadcast journalism student at Northwestern and plans to use her scholarship for Medill's Global Journalism Residency Program in South Africa.

 “AWJ-Chicago members are pleased to be able to recognize such talented young journalists,” said Karen Kring, president of AWJ-Chicago. “Supporting new journalists is not just important to the future of our profession, but also our societies.”  

For information on how to donate to AWJ-Chicago's scholarship fund and other initiatives, visit http://www.awj-chicago.org/donate.

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Robin Florzak is a journalism veteran. Formerly an assignment editor with Fox News Chicago and a reporter/weekend editor with City News Bureau of Chicago, she is currently on staff at DePaul University.

SEVEN QUESTIONS FOR AP’S SARAH NORDGREN

Karen Kring — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 22:35:02 GMT

Sarah Nordgren, the highest ranking woman at the Associated Press in Chicago, will discuss the professional and personal challenges and opportunities facing journalists at the Association for Women Journalists-Chicago's Jan. 28 annual celebration.

As a preview to her talk, Nordgren, who leads AP’s global staff recruiting and U.S. news coverage from Chicago, answered seven questions posed by AWJ-Chicago member Robin Florzak about the 2010 outlook for the media industry, AP and journalists’ work-life balance:

Q: What do you think about convergence? What are the greatest challenges facing journalists who are trying to reconcile their traditional role with the new realities of the news industry?

NORDGREN: Convergence is important, but good journalism skills lie at the top of the hierarchy. It's more important to understand what makes a good reporter—and to become one—than it is to have a bulging toolbox of skills that cross every format. That said, finding the format (or formats) you love, whether it's print, photos, multimedia or video, and becoming highly skilled in those areas is critical to success in today's market.

Journalists need to stay current with the news industry, in the same way they'd stay current with a beat or coverage area they may have had as a reporter. Increasingly, through social networks and advancing technologies, news will literally 'find' its consumers—through Facebook, Twitter, or any number of new platforms. That model is the opposite of what many of us grew up with, in which consumers have to seek out individual bits of news by waiting until the newspaper is delivered, or turning the TV or radio on at certain hours. Journalists need to embrace that, and imagine what tomorrow's media world will look like. Keeping up on the industry doesn't mean you need to know what The Next Big Thing is, before it happens. It does mean keeping on top of how people are receiving news, thinking about how that applies to your current job and to the next job you're looking for.

Q: How is AP’s role changing?

NORDGREN: AP has been, and will continue to strive to be, an all-service news agency, providing comprehensive coverage of the most important stories worldwide.  We have an advantage over some other media companies, in that we've always been "multimedia." We have had print, photos and broadcast divisions for decades and a very healthy video and multimedia arm, developed over the past 15 years or so. What we're working on is knowing our audience and developing the tools to get news to where our audience is. The trick is in having a video editor sit side-by-side with editors from print, photos and multimedia, thinking creatively about how best to tell a story. Sounds easy—but is anything but.

Q: How might Chicago's local news and its changing media landscape affect AP coverage?

NORDGREN: Perhaps the biggest impact has been in domestic statehouses. As newspapers have gotten smaller, and some have gone out of business altogether, statehouse bureaus have gotten smaller. That means the role the AP plays in covering state government has taken on increased significance around the country. It's a responsibility we take very seriously. Like other media companies, we have had some staff cuts, but we have worked extremely hard to ensure that we have a very vibrant and growing group of journalists keeping their eyes on how tax dollars are being spent, or misspent.

Q: How are journalists’ relationships with news outlets changing? Will more freelance or work part-time?

NORDGREN: I do think we will see an increase in freelance and part-time work in coming years. More journalists will be working on their own—blogging, creating video, reporting— and, by necessity, figuring out the economic model to make that possible.

Q: What advice would you give to students planning to enter journalism and for journalists who’d like to work at AP?

NORDGREN: Be flexible, and follow your passion. With a good base of journalism skills and a creative eye, there are plenty of places to prosper in an aggressively evolving media market. If you're truly curious about the world, or even one corner of it, you can be a good journalist. What's important is to imagine your ideal job (or the ideal job that will keep you happy for the next five years), then relentlessly pursue it. If you're lucky, the job will come right away. If not, take mid-steps that keep you pointed on the right path.

Word of warning: Depending on the type of journalism you expect to practice, be cautious about your social networking profile. Tweeting about yourself at political rallies or posting Facebook photos of a night when you had more fun than you might want to remember aren't going to win the hearts and minds of traditional news media leaders—the ones who will hire you.

Q: Where do you see opportunity for those entering, or repositioning themselves in, the field of journalism?

NORDGREN: Again, flexibility and curiosity. Most good journalism programs these days are equipping students with the right skills for the market. But there are plenty of good training and educational options online—many of them free of charge—that can help you along the way. The Knight Foundation, for example, has a vibrant training Web site for multimedia skills. The Donald W. Reynolds National Center for Business Journalism in Phoenix offers a wide array of online courses in business journalism. Other more entrepreneurial groups, like Webbmedia, help keep you informed on social networking and beyond. And, of course, networking with people you know in the field is critical for any job success.

Q: You were among of the first to job-share at AP when your children, now in college, were young. What advice do you have for journalists trying to balance personal and professional lives?

NORDGREN: Freud said the key to a healthy life is a balance of work and personal relationships -- lieben und arbeiten. Don't short yourself on the personal front. If being at home part-time (or even full-time) for a few years is what is best for you, go for it. It can be scary to take some time off, particularly if your employer is less than generous about such things. But it's time you'll never get back. It also can be a good time to reframe your thinking about the best professional fit, going forward. No, you can't have it all. But you can have enough of both to have a very satisfying time trying.

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Robin Florzak is a journalism veteran. Formerly an assignment editor with Fox News Chicago and a reporter/weekend editor with City News Bureau of Chicago, she is currently on staff at DePaul University.

Come and get it: Opportunities to learn and network are here

Karen Kring — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 19:12:22 GMT

I belong to quite a few professional organizations. As an active volunteer with AWJ since 2000, and a member for even longer, I can tell you that AWJ is special. Its enthusiasm and spirit of cooperation has kept me involved, as well as the valuable, unique and tangible opportunities is has given me, which I'll be forever grateful for. All AWJ members have access to these same great chances for professional development, but by volunteering or taking on a leadership role, these opportunities come along even faster.

I invite all Chicago-area journalists to take advantage of what AWJ has to offer by playing a role AWJ's leadership in 2010.

Besides the opportunity to expand your network, skills and resume--and earn the gratitude and respect of your colleagues--it can be fun. For example, I enjoyed working with Leah Pietrusiak on our Chicago Journalism Town Hall follow up, made a friend and learned a lot in the process. Working with the survey committee allowed me to get into some newsrooms I'd not been to yet.

Besides board membership, we have a variety of committees that offer some interesting opportunities:

Programs
Chaired by Amy Bernstein, this is known as the fun committee. This committee oversees AWJ events like the annual meeting, picnic, the Millennials Mixer, panel discussions, workshops and trainings. Besides members, this committee needs a vice chair. To learn more, contact Amy.

Scholarships
Chaired by Suzanne Hanney with Adriene Hill as vice chair, this committee is most active in the fall and winter. It's in charge of the process of identifying scholarship winners and oversees fundraising. To learn more, see http://www.awj-chicago.org/scholarships or contact Adriene.

Website/Communications
We update website content, manage AWJ News and work with the other committees to promote their initiatives via the website, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. A few of us manage different sections of the website. Suzanne Cosgrove is the Job Bank editor. Pat Terry just volunteered to join this group. Besides a couple AWJ News editors and content producers, a chair and vice chair are needed. This is one of the committees that gives you an excuse to call on anyone in journalism that you like. Let me know if you want in on this.

Membership/Outreach
We oversee efforts to invite colleagues to become dues-paying members; join the listserv, our Facebook group and page and LinkedIn group; and more. Besides more members, a chair and vice chair are needed. This committee gives its members the chance to do a lot of networking. Let me know if you want in on this.

On-going project committees include:

Young Critics Circle
Chaired by Cheryl Corley with assistance from Anitra Rowe. During the school year, AWJ members coach high school girls in writing theater criticism in collaboration with the Goodman. To learn more, see http://www.awj-chicago.org/YoungCriticsC ircle. To learn more about the group's specific needs, contact Anitra.

Chicago Women in Journalism Survey
Chaired by Cheryl Corley, this committee issued a report in October 2008 that included the results of our first survey of Chicago newsroom workers. This committee is quiet now, but there's plan to do the next survey. To learn more, see http://www.awj-chicago.org/WhereWeStand.

AWJ-TV
As announced in August, AWJers are developing a yet-to-be named TV show about media. The steering committee so far includes Geri Hearne, Kim Mance, Sandra Guy, Linda Lenz, Mary Hynes, Alice Singleton, myself with others about to be named. The advisory board includes Laura Washington, Mary Elson and Jeanne Sparrow so far. Others getting involved include Felicia Oliver, Alice Horton, Lorraine Forte, Bridgette Ridgeway, Rene Edde, Anne Marie Kirby-Gerhardt, Inggrid Yonata, Carrie Kaufman and other. Things are progressing. To learn more about how to get involved, contact Alice.

If you have an idea about what you'd like to work on that doesn't fit into these committee descriptions, contact me.
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Karen Kring has been president of AWJ-Chicago since 2008 and an active member for much longer. She started AWJ's listserv in 2000.

OfficePort offers AWJ a deal

Karen Kring — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:34:00 GMT

AWJ member Maura Hernandez has brokered a unique opportunity for AWJ members.

OfficePort, a sponsor of TweetCamp and the work headquarters for a growing number of freelancers and new journalism enterprises, is offering us a group deal.

OfficePort is offering AWJ members the chance to rent a port at their coworking space at a special group rate.

So far we have one member who is going in on this deal, Kim Mance of Galavanting fame and a couple more who want to share a port. To make the deal stick, we'll need two more to go in on this deal, but we can, and hope, to include more.

Some of what you'd get for your money is fast wifi, conference rooms with AV equipment, some locked storage space, shipping/receiving services and unlimited coffee, but also an immediate community of other independent journalists, creative people and entrepreneurs. There are consistent networking events each week, as well as many of special guest events and workshops, too.

If you need to get out of your home office, this might be for you.

If you think this might be helpful to you and the way you need to be working these days, contact Maura to learn the rate, go in for a visit and discuss the possibilities. Maura's at mwall.hernandez@gmail.com or 312-285-0389.

The deadline for taking advantage of this particular offer is Dec 1.

I've been looking into coworking spaces lately and recently wrote a bit about it at Live From Skokie. Wailin Wong wrote a piece for the Trib about coworking and Office Port.

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Karen Kring has been president of AWJ-Chicago since 2008 and an active member for much longer. She started AWJ's listserv in 2000.

Getting Your First Book Published: AWJ Members Weigh In by Jessica Tobacman

Karen Kring — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 04:04:58 GMT

I recently sent a request to the AWJ listserv inquiring about book publishing and received numerous replies.

AWJers agree that an early step in the publishing process is for authors to develop book proposals to send to agents and publishers to entice them into taking them on as clients. Depending on the publisher, sometimes authors should precede these with query letters, cover letters that introduce themselves and their books. I have received some recommendations for the Writer’s Market, which contains valuable information about publishing. Michele Weldon suggests reading Michael Larsen’s How to Write a Nonfiction Book Proposal and Jeff Herman’s Guide to Literary Agents and Book Publishers.

One option to improve your manuscript is to hire a “book doctor,” an editor to help with the process of editing. This can prove helpful at various editing stages, says Meg E. Cox, a book doctor, and freelance writer and editor. These can include helping to improve a book proposal, or to edit a work itself after it has proceeded through acquisitions, or is in the development process.

Multiple members made clear the specific benefits of having an agent, if you can get one. A high-quality agent will help you to improve your book proposal before you send it to publishers, to help you discover the best publishers to contact about your material, and to obtain useful terms in your contract. One clear-cut rule is to avoid any agent that requests payment upfront, before publishing. “Any agent who asks for a reading fee, or any other fee – turn around and leave as fast as you can,” says Marion E. Gold, successful author of two books.

An alternative to actually establishing a professional relationship with a literary agent is reading their blogs online. Janet Reid’s blog is one example of this, available at http://jetreidliterary.blogspot.com/. An agent’s Web site can provide solid information about submissions and etiquette, notes author Elizabeth Bagby.

There is some debate about whether or not to self-publish. While Cindy Richards, veteran Chicago journalist, indicates that she thinks an earlier stigma attached to self-publishing has disappeared, Weldon disagrees. “You can self-publish if you want. … But if you want to be respected on the next level, get a good agent who gets you a publisher,” says the author of three books in print, with one more in process. “Less than one percent of books submitted to publishers get published. … You want to be in the one percent club. That means your work is extremely valuable and valued by people who know great work,” Weldon advises.

A decision for or against self-publishing can also depend on your personal preferences. “A lot will depend on your energy, connections and willingness to promote yourself,” emails Bev Bennett, author or co-author of nine cookbooks. Whether books become best-sellers depends somewhat on the marketing time that authors devote to publicizing them.

Whether or not a traditional publisher takes an interest in and ultimately publishes your work, the issues of marketing and gaining exposure remain. If a conventional publisher takes on your book project but neglects to agree to devote adequate dollars to a publicist, you may experience difficulty selling a large number of copies. “A good agent should be on top of this. Don’t assume anything about what the publisher will do to publicize your book. Ask,” says Gail Marksjarvis, author of a well-respected book and an award-winning personal finance columnist for the Chicago Tribune.

Developing a marketing platform is key, not only to selling your book, but also to convincing an agent and a publisher to accept you as a client. “Publishers are now more interested in your marketing plan than your table of contents,” comments Jan Lisa Huttner, Jewish United Fund News, Arts & Culture Critic, and Managing Editor of the Web site “Films for Two.”

Weldon advocates for persevering with your manuscript. “Do not throw in the towel. I say if you believe in it, keep going.”

Jessica Tobacman is a Chicago-area journalist who is interested in publishing a book on green remodeling. She has written articles on environmental topics for the Chicago Tribune, In These Times magazine, Great Lakes Boating, and A Fresh Squeeze, and has been an AWJ member since 2006.

Young Critics Circle starts its third season

Karen Kring — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:51:38 GMT

This just in from Cheryl Corley, Young Critics Circle point person...

We have a contingent of 30 girls during this third season of the Young Critics…and 14 mentors including me.

The mentors include, returning for another season -- myself, Amy Bernstein, Anitra Rowe, Dawn Raftery, Kerry Reid and Caryn Rosseau, plus new YCC mentors -- Suzy Schultz, Melba Lara, Joanne Von Alroth, Claire Bushey, Michelle Holmes, Karen Hawkins, Elena Ferrarin, and Carla Johnson.

During the first workshop, the young critics, and many of the mentors, saw a production of Goodman’s “Animal Crackers”, one of the plays written for the Marx Brothers by Pulitzer prize winning playwright George S. Kaufman.

The following Saturday, on October 24, we heard from Kaufman’s daughter, Anne Kaufman and from Denise Schneider, the publicity agent for the Goodman.

The next workshop is next Saturday, Novemeber 7. We’ll be discussing "Animal Crackers". Mentor Kerry Reid will lead a discussion introducing the girls into the world of Arts Criticism and they’ll be learning how to use “Google Docs” to upload their reviews of the plays which they will soon begin to write.

ONE MORE TIME: BIG THANK YOU TO THE PICNIC RAFFLE DONORS

Karen Kring — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 21:01:20 GMT

Just wanted to publicly say THANK YOU one more time to the generous AWJ members and non-members who donated items to this summer's Picnic Raffle. The funds raised from the raffle will go directly to scholarships awarded in January 2010 through the AWJ Scholars Program.

What was also lovely was for every one item donated, there was a winner and all the winners were very excited about winning their prizes.

Thank you all. Your involvement is so appreciated.

Kelly Woyan-Rudnicki, aka Food Allergy Mama, donated some made-that-morning baked goods.

Cindy Richards and JAWS donated a registration for the October 2009 JAWS Camp.

Lara Weber and our friends at the Chicago Tribune donated all sorts of Red Eye and Mash goodies.

Maura Wall Hernandez donated a portrait session

Tickets were donated by...
Vicki Quade - Six tickets to any of the shows at the Royal George: Late Nite Catechism, Put the Nuns in Charge!, and Sunday School Cinema

Cheryl Corley and our friends at NPR - Two tickets to Wait Wait…Don't Tell Me!

Books were donated by...
Nancy Gerstein - Guiding Yoga's Light: Lessons for Yoga Teachers

Kathy Catrambone - Taylor Street: Chicago's Little Italy

Jane Canepa - The Canepa School of Dance

Paula Kamen - Finding Iris Chang: Friendship, Ambition and the Loss of an Extraordinary Mind, plus All in My Head: An Epic Quest to Cure an Unrelenting, Totally Unreasonable and Only Slightly Enlightening Headache

Tracy Baim - Out and Proud in Chicago

Michelle Weldon - Everyman News: The Changing American Front Page

Rick Kogan - Sidewalks: Portraits of Chicago and A Chicago Tavern: A Goat, a Curse, and the American Dream

Jane Garton - Pedal Cars, Chasing the Kidillac

Pat Terry - Chicago: Off the Beaten Path by Cliff Terry

Natalie Moore - Deconstructing Tyrone: A New Look at Black Masculinity in the Hip Hop Era

Lovette Ajayi - Community Media Workshop's Getting on the Air, Online & Into Print media guide

Ken Kring - Business Strategy Mapping: The Power of Knowing How It All Fits Together

MILLENNIALS MIXER WAS MARVELOUS by Heather Harrigan

Karen Kring — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 20:48:10 GMT

AWJ president Karen Kring reminded attendees of the first annual Millennials Mixer--greenhorn journalism students and established professionals alike--that now's the time for all of us to learn and grow while, one way or another, working in our now turbulent industry.

With over thirty attendants from print, broadcast and online outlets; academia; interns from the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Public Radio, Time Out Chicago, Chicago Journal, A Fresh Squeeze and elsewhere; and representatives from NATAS (National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, yes, the Emmy people), NLGJA (National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association), the Chicago Headline Club, Chicago Journalism Association, NAHJ (National Association of Hispanic Journalists) and AAJA (Asian American Journalism Association), the Mixer was an opportunity to share ambitions, accomplishments, and the occasional intern horror-story with working and aspiring journalists.

Fernando Diaz, Rick Stuckey, Suzanne Hanney, Barbara Williams Perry, and George Lara took the mic to share their insights with promising students and colleagues, and, moreover, encouraged them to use their skills and talents to be innovative. In an era where publishing, promoting, and managing content is cheaper, easier, and more far-reaching than ever, the knowledge of this next generation will undoubtedly prove a valuable asset in reshaping the industry.

Kring, who referred to journalism as more of a vocation than a profession, reminded interns and seasoned veterans alike that “you don’t have to stick to ways you’ve seen other people do it. This is a time for invention.”

Diaz even remarked that, in the off-chance that one might encounter someone who claims to know the future of journalism, “They are lying. Run away.”

Chicago Public Radio hosted AWJ and its partner organizations in their studio’s community room and balcony on Navy Pier, a rather picturesque venue for the event. It was extra great that the station’s Jill Shepherd, upon hearing that I’d started working at WLUW, gave me a quick tour of the station.

All enjoyed the refreshments, door prizes (thanks to the Chicago Tribune), and a grand finale of Navy Pier’s fireworks, and were surprised and pleased to receive WBEZ messenger bags as we left looking forward to next year.

More photos are up on Facebook.

After the mixer, some of the established journalists assembled a piece based on conversations they'd had that night: Ten More Things Before You Go.

Heather Harrigan is a journalism, political science and philosophy student at Loyola and member of AWJ's program committee.

MORE THAN A PICNIC by Maura Wall Hernandez

Karen Kring — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 20:01:57 GMT

The AWJ Annual Picnic is more than just a picnic. It’s an opportunity.

Sure, we get great food and lots of mingling with fellow women journalists and supporters of women in the media. But as many of us have learned during these difficult economic times, especially for our industry, journalists need to be working together these days—regardless of the names of publications or stations where we may work. With so many people in our field being currently unemployed or underemployed, gone are the times of the past when, for example, I remember seeing Tribune and Sun-Times reporters actively avoiding talking to each other at gatherings like the AWJ Picnic.

At the 2009 picnic, held on the rooftop deck of Pegasus in Chicago’s Greektown on July 29th, I saw women from all walks of journalism and from differing publications, TV and radio stations chatting, laughing and putting their heads together for common causes. If the bad economy has done one good thing for journalism, I would say it has helped bridge the gap between mediums and brought together some of us who never would’ve thought about working with someone in a different medium.

On a personal level, my AWJ membership has recently become invaluable to me. I lost my full-time job as an editor at the end of June, and networking has become more important to me now than ever before. I’m used to being the helper rather than being the helpee, so I was both a little overwhelmed and surprised when so many of my AWJ colleagues immediately offered to help me upon hearing that I was out of work—whether referring work to me themselves, giving me an introduction to someone else who could help me or promising to keep an eye out for any leads that might be a good fit for me. This is what our association is all about: it serves as a support network for women in journalism. I’m excited to say that one introduction I was given at the AWJ Picnic has led to a joint project with another member. One introduction is often all it takes to do great things.

Another picnic highlight: a number of our members donated fantastic items for our raffle benefiting the scholarship fund and picnic attendees were generous with buying raffle tickets. Raffle prizes ranged from delectable homemade cookies and tickets to Vicki Quade's plays at the Royal George to JAWS Camp registration, photography services and books written by AWJ members.

The annual picnic is a great reminder of the benefits afforded to us by membership in AWJ. Not only does our group provide an abundance of networking opportunities, it also gives us a forum to constantly learn from each other and come together to do common good. The picnic was also a planning springboard for at least a few new AWJ programs coming up this fall; keep an eye out here on the website to see what we’re up to!

More photos from the picnic can be found at on our Facebook fan page and on our crowd-sourced slideshow.

Underemployed Journalists’ Coffee Circle

And, as a side note: as a service to other members and to continue giving back for what I’ve received as a member of AWJ, I’ve started a weekly Underemployed Journalists’ Coffee Circle. Please feel free to contact me for more details at mwall.hernandez (at) gmail (dot) com.

TEN MORE THINGS BEFORE YOU GO

Karen Kring — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 04:04:18 GMT

Chicago-born Maria Shriver (former, and perhaps future, broadcast journalist) came out with a book a few year's ago called And One More Thing Before You Go and before that, Ten Things I Wish I'd Known Before I Went Out Into The Real World.

Inspired by the conversations about the journalism business with recent j-school grads and summer interns at the August 5 Millennials Mixer at Chicago Public Radio, with a tip of the hat to Maria, a few colleagues involved in journalism in Chicago offer...

Ten More Things Before You Go
by Barbara Williams, Dawn Reiss, Barb Iverson, Fernando Diaz, George Lara, Karen Kring

1. Chicago is a great news town, full of wonderful stories from small triumphs to political scandals. For this reason, the history and tradition of Chicago journalism is rich, and audiences here always want good journalism. Treasure these things when you jump in to your career here.

It is also important to be quiet, to listen
and observe...

2. Be curious, be gutsy and be compassionate. Couple that with being politely aggressive, a delicate balance of being persistent without being overly pushy. You never know where it's going to lead you and the most common of courtesies will open doors beyond your wildest imagination. It is also important to be quiet, to listen and observe, because what is not being said is as important as what is being spoken.

3. Don't ever forget the story. Use all your technology--keyboards, sound, pictures, web sites, editing tricks and trends--to tell the story, not to distract from it. No matter your medium, the story comes first.

4. Build professional relationships with your sources, and don't just contact them when you need something. They will come through for you more that way.

5. Don't confuse 'creative' with 'unprofessional' when applying for jobs.

6. Always keep your portfolio updated, you never know when the next opportunity will come up.

7. No one can tell you whether or not you can make it in the journalism business. The future is not written. All of us are evolving and so is the business.

8. While publishing vehicles are constantly evolving, accuracy and fairness are still critical for success.

9. In order to survive, we have to adapt and learn as much as we can about using our networks, connections and the tools at our disposal to share our stories.

9.5. Attention is the currency of the 21st century. Learning is the labor of the 21st century. While people labored to make money in the 20th century, in the 21st, they'll be continuously learning in order to make money.

10. While journalism might be a calling, it is not religion. Journalists are not clergy. You can stop working regularly for a media outlet and still find ways to practice journalism.

New jobs posted ...

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 00:07:22 GMT

A special shout out to fellow AWJ members who also are looking for work. Several new jobs have been added to the Job Bank. Check it out! Best of luck from the new Job Bank editor, Suzanne Cosgrove, and a tip of the hat to our previous longtime editor, Christi Kemp.

WHAT A DUMP! KATHY AND JUDY FANS HONKED OFF by Jenni Spinner

Karen Kring — Sun, 31 May 2009 03:20:33 GMT

AWJer Jenni Spinner laments the loss of her daily Girlfriends

Chicago radio has a nasty—and, it turns out, well-deserved—reputation for being cruel to on-air talent. This is especially true when station management decides to can them (or “move in another direction,” as one B.S.-y euphemism goes). These poor deejays and hosts don’t get much prior notice, if they get any notice at all. They learn of their dismissal reading the morning paper; surfing the Web; or when their cell rings on the way to the station, and it’s the GM informing them they should turn around and go home.

The Kathy and Judy Show’s recent departure from the airwaves seems especially coldhearted, to the listeners as much as the talent. True, Kathy O’Malley and Judy Markey reportedly received word weeks before their last show aired on May 22, but the listeners didn’t know until tuning into WGN-AM 720 at 9 that morning that, when the show signed off three hours later, it would be for good. After 20 years (longevity almost unheard of in this fickle market), station VP/GM Tom Langmeyer brought the girlfriends’ run of dispatching straight talk, advice and laughter to an abrupt end.

Why they'll always have a place in my heart

The news of K&J’s unceremonious dumping hit no one harder than me. As a 20-something in her first soul-sucking job after college, my disappointment in learning my Walkman could only get WGN (aka, the “all farms and old farts” station) at my desk was shortly replaced by delight in discovering that the talk-radio landscape offered such a refreshingly bright, girl-crazy (in a good way) listening option. While the dial was dominated by Howard Stern, Mancow Muller, and countless other mean-spirited, testosterony ‘morning zoo’ clones, here was a pair of women who entertained and talked to their audience, rather than pandering and talking down.

Soon, I found myself listening to WGN all day long. Turns out pretty much all of WGN’s on-air personalities were engaging, smart, funny, kind people—each show felt like a conversation with friends—but the ladies were far and away my favorite. They kept my spirits up during dreary work mornings, and I found myself not only listening, but interacting—sending e-mails, calling in (once winning a Lobstergram for answering a Web question), even attending the Kathy and Judy Convention at the Chicago Hilton and Towers, where I joined with hundreds of other loyal K&J fans in a partylike atmosphere.

Since my trade publishing company decided to go in another direction and laid me off last June, K&J have become more important to me than ever. There were long stretches between freelance assignments (and the life-sustaining checks that accompany them) when, staring into the abyss my career had become, the warmth and humor in abundance on their show was all that really sustained me. It’s a stretch to say Kathy O’Malley’s joyous, unrestrained laugh saved my life—but maybe not by much.

Then came 5/22/09

Then, on the 22nd, the rug was pulled out from under me and hundreds of other Kathy and Judy fans—and, to borrow a pet K&J phrase, we are honked off. In the hours following the announcement of the end of the K&J era, Twitter was abuzz with fans expressing shock and rage at their firing, and a number of Facebook groups demonstrating either love for the show, or hatred for the station, popped up. At last count, “Petition to Keep Kathy and Judy on WGN” boasted more than 550 members. People in that group plan to rally in front of WGN’s Showcase Studio on Michigan Ave. at 9 am on June 3—a Wednesday, the day K&J listeners normally would calling in to air their grievances during the Speak Your Piece segment. There’s a lot of love for the show—whether such open displays of love and loyalty will melt the hearts of WGN management enough that they reverse their decision and let Kathy and Judy back on the air remains to be seen.

Who will be Chicago's new women radio hosts?

I hate to say it, but judging by how little Langmeyer and his ilk seem to care about his staff and their listeners, I’m hopeful, but doubtful. The station spent nearly four months dicking around with the midday hosts, trying out more than half a dozen fill-ins before settling in April on Garry Meier, a tired old Chicago standby that hadn’t been on the air in years (understandably—he possesses all the charm of a soggy piece of toast). They wiped out a number of weekend shows with no notice, and they axed news director Wes Bleed, who’d been with the station since 1983. It’s sad to see the station I loved so much being mangled and manhandled in an attempt to get ratings, but I find Kathy and Judy’s dismissal downright disturbing. It’s a bright-as-bejesus sign that WGN is more than willing to alienate loyal listeners to boost ratings. Possibly more alarming, it confirms the opinion that WGN is just as misogynistic as every other station in the market. Save for the occasional perky traffic reporter and bubbly weathergirl, the airwaves were already nearly barren of female voices. Now that Kathy and Judy’s microphones are off, presumably for good, Chicago radio’s more of a boys’ club than ever.

Jenni Spinner is a lifelong Chicagoan, starting in the northwest ’burb of Streamwood, where she spent far too much of her youth being a serious student, band geek, and all-around goody-goody. Spinner has worked for the Chicago Tribune's RedEye, Lowe's, and a number of trade publications. She blogs for The Daily Grub and is the head lab tech at Bacon Du Jour, a blog dedicated to pairing various foodstuffs with the world's perfect food. And when she’s not grubbing it up, she plays a mean ukulele.