Association for Women in Communications

The Association for Women in Communications (AWC) was an American professional organization for women in the communications industry.^[1][2][3] It was formed in 1996 when Women in Communication (aka Theta Sigma Phi) went defunct. AWC operated until it went defunct in 2023.

Association for Women in Communications

Logo used since 2018
Abbreviation	AWC
Formation	1997; 28 years ago (1997)
Founded at	University of Washington
Dissolved	2023
Type	Nonprofit
Headquarters	4730 S. National Avenue, Suite A1
Location	Springfield, Missouri, United States
Membership	3,000 (2022)
Publication	the Communiqué
Award	The Matrix Awards
Website	www.womcom.org
Formerly called	Theta Sigma Phi (ΘΣΦ) Women in Communications, Inc.

History

Theta Sigma Phi, an honorary society for journalism, was established in 1909 at the University of Washington.^[1][3][4] By 1950, the group had grown to 47 campus chapters and 29 alumnae groups. In 1972, Theta Sigma Phi was renamed to Women in Communications, Inc. (WICI).^[1][3] WICI was dissolved in 1996.

The Association for Women in Communications was formed in 1997 as a new nonprofit organization that would continue the legacy of WICI.^{[1][2][3][5][6]} The Association for Women in Communication was overseen by a new board and was managed by Club Management Services in Springfield, Missouri. AWC ceased operations at the national level in 2023.^[7][8] Several of its chapters continued to operated as a local organization.^[7][8]

Activities

The society's publication was Communiqué, an electronic newsletter. It presented the Clarion Award,^[9][10] the Headliner Award,^[11] and The Matrix Awards.^[12][13] The latter two were originally initiated by Theta Sigma Phi.^[11][12]

Foundation

The nonprofit AWC Matrix Foundation was established in 1998 as an educational affiliate. The AWC Matrix Foundation promoted the advancement of women in the communications profession by providing funds for education, research, and publications. The foundation's three initiatives were:

• Professional Certification Program – recognized excellence in all areas of communications; provided an opportunity to demonstrate communication and management skills and enhance employment/client potential.
• Edith Wortman First Amendment Award – honored professional communicators for their efforts relating to First Amendment issues.
• Barbara Erickson Scholarship Fund – allowed college students to attend the AWC National Professional Conference.

Chapters

Following are the chapters of the Association for Women in Communication, with active chapters indicated in bold and inactive chapters in italics.^[14]

Chapter	Charter date and range	Location	Status	References
Bloomington/Normal		Bloomington, Illinois and Normal, Illinois	Inactive
BGSU	2011	Bowling Green, Kentucky	Inactive	[15]
Detroit		Detroit, Michigan	Inactive ?	[16]
Lubbock		Lubbock, Texas	Inactive	[17]
New York	19xx ?–1998	New York City, New York	Withdrew (local)	[18][a]
Pittsburgh	19xx ?	Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania	Inactive	[19]
San Francisco			Inactive	[11]
Santa Barbara	2006–2023	Santa Barbara, California	Withdrew (local)	[8]
Seattle		Seattle, Washington	Inactive
South Florida		South Florida	Inactive	[20]
Springfield, IL	1985–2023	Springfield, Illinois	Withdrew (local)	[21]
Springfield, MO		Springfield, Missouri	Inactive
Tulsa	19xx ?–2023	Tulsa, Oklahoma	Withdrew (local)	[7]
UW Madison		Madison, Wisconsin	Inactive ?	[22]
Washington, D.C. Metro Area		Washington, D.C.	Inactive	[13]

1. Chapter withdrew and became the New York Women in Communications, Inc., a local organization.

Notable members

Name	Chapter	Notability	Awards	References
Rita Cosby		news anchor for Fox News, MSNBC, and Newsmax	Headliner Award 2002	[11]
Margaret Larson		broadcast journalist and television presenter	Headliner Award 2004	[11]
Ann Liguori	South Florida	sports broadcaster	Headliner Award 2001	[11]
Harriet Monroe	Honorary	Poet and founding publisher and editor of Poetry magazine	Lifetime Achievement Award 2001
			Hall of Fame 2003
Gail Sheehy		author, journalist, and lecturer	Headliner Award 2000	[11]
Barbara Sher		author	Headliner Award 1998	[11]