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Illinois Woman’s Press Association
Chicago, Illinois
www.iwpa.org

Chicago – January 3, 2019 – The Illinois Woman’s Press Association announced that Cindy Cruz of Alsip, Illinois, will be recognized as its 2019 Communicator of Achievement. This award is given to a member in recognition of exceptional achievement in the communications fields, as well as contributions to the organization and the community.

“Cindy has been an important part of IWPA for many years. Her contributions have improved our National Federation of Press Women (NFPW) chapter, and helped prepare it to meet the future needs of the communications profession,” said IWPA President Cora Weisenberger. “Her dedication to our organization makes her the ideal Communicator of Achievement.”

In addition to state recognition, Cruz will vie for the national Communicator of Achievement Award presented by the NFPW. The recipient, chosen from nominees selected by other NFPW state affiliates, is recognized for exceptional achievement in the communications field. The winner will be announced in June during NFPW’s annual conference in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Cruz has been an award-winning reporter and writer for newspapers in Chicago’s South Suburbs. She was a reporter and feature writer for The Daily Southtown and served as editor for the Pointer Economist in South Holland, Illinois; as well as the Sun Standard in Blue Island, Illinois. After a career shift to public relations, Cruz worked for Holy Cross Hospital in Chicago and the Glenwood School for Boys (now Glenwood Academy) in Glenwood, Illinois.

She joined IWPA in 1985. Along with chapter work, Cruz also assisted with NFPW’s national conference, which that year was held in Chicago. She can be relied upon to fill numerous volunteer roles for organizational events, including lending her talents as a photographer to IWPA’s annual Mate E. Palmer Communications Awards luncheon.  In addition to her dedication to IWPA, Cruz regularly attends the NFPW National Conference.

The IWPA was founded in 1885 as an organization of professionals whose objective is to maintain and improve the standards of members in mass communications in Illinois, to promote their interests, and to provide for the sharing of ideas and information. IWPA is an affiliate of the National Federation of Press Women.

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