The Illinois Woman’s Press Association (IWPA) is proud to announce the winners of the 2024 IWPA Mate E.  Palmer Professional Communications Contest. 114 awards will be presented in May at the annual awards luncheon to be held at The Public Landing in Lockport, Illinois. This year, 41 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 22 during the Saturday night banquet at the NFPW conference in St. Louis, Missouri.

First Place

Tracy Ahrens, Photography > 21 – Single Photograph > 21C – General photo (open competition on any subject) Fireworks

Tracy Ahrens, Writing > Books, Short Stories, Verse > 16 – Creative Verse > 16A – Single poem Pathways of the prints

Jennifer Billock, Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07T – Travel Embrace the Travel Age

LynneConner, Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07S – Style (fashion, interior design, furniture, architecture, landscaping, home economics) Fashion with a mission drives business and fundraising event

LynneConner, Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07J – Hobby (crafts, building, designing, construction) Local genealogy “detective” works to solve cases of missing family history

LynneConner, Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07I – History Historic Graham-Ginestra House: Honoring Immigrants of Southwest Rockford

Marlene Cook, Editing for Print or Online Publications > 19 – Publication Regularly Edited by Entrant > 19C – Newsletter/other publication – non-profit, government, or educational Fenger News

Marlene Cook, Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07C – Business From Riemer’s Farm Stand to Van Til’s to Jansma’s

Michelle Cox, Writing > Books, Short Stories, Verse > 11 – Fiction for Adult Readers > 11A – Novels (More than 40,000 words) A Haunting at Linley, A Henrietta and Inspector Howard novel

Joshua Friedberg, Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07B – Arts and entertainment (enter reviews in 7O) My Top 10 Favorite ’90s Country Music Hits

Joshua Friedberg, Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07Q – Social issues The Most Important Book I’m Reading for Black History Month

Joshua Friedberg, Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07O – Reviews (any subject, must express a personal opinion)  Self-Deprecating Nonchalance: ‘Prine on Prine’

Joshua Friedberg, Writing > 04 – Editorial/Opinion 04 OPINION: On Tyler Childers and Queer Tragedy

Joshua Friedberg, Writing > 09 – Headlines A Queer (Be)longing, September News to Use to Beat the Blues, Half the Everything That He Didn’t Have to Be, A Lost Revolution?

Suzanne Hanney and Jesse Betend, Web and Social Media > 36 – Podcast Where I Stay: Ep. 1 The Mayor of Both Bridges

Suzanne Hanney, Writing > 06 – Personality Profile > 06B – More than 750 words ‘Raptivist’: The Third

Suzanne Hanney, Editing for Print or Online Publications > 19 – Publication Regularly Edited by Entrant > 19B – Magazine/Magapaper (newspaper format with magazine-style writing and design) Simply the best: paying tribute to Tina Turner

Suzanne Hanney, Writing > 05 – Feature Story > 05B – Magazine, newsletter/other publication The Race for Shelter/La Carrera Para Refugio

Alexandria Jacobson, Writing > 03 – In-depth Reporting Losing Track

Alexandria Jacobson, Writing > 02 – Continuing Coverage or Unfolding NewsLawmakers, Law Breakers

Alexandria Jacobson, Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07D – Education ‘Too preposterous to be real’: College hires ‘pink slime’ publisher as journalism prof

Janis Johnston, Writing > Books, Short Stories, Verse > 12 – Nonfiction Book for Adult Readers 12D – General Nonfiction Transforming Retirement: Rewire and Grow Your Legacy

Janis Johnston, Web and Social Media > 37 – Blog > 37A – Nonprofit, government or educational Banned Pearls

Ann Logue, Web and Social Media > 40 – Electronic Newsletter > 40C – Personal The Whatever Years

Janice Renee Newman, Matthew Jemilo and Philip Newman,  Radio and Television > 30 – Interview > 30B – Television Y? Why Not! Show – Topic: Women In Journalism with Marlene Cook, journalist

Janice Renee Newman, Radio and Television > 31 – Talk Show > 31B – Television Y? Why Not! Topic: Dealing with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) with guest Brandon Wyle

Janice Renee Newman and Matthew Jemilo, Radio and Television > 29 – Special Programming > 29B – Television Y? Why Not! Women in Business

Janice Renee Newman, Writing > 08 – Columns > 08C – Informational (how-to, Q&A, advice) Y? Why Not! Forgive Others to Free Yourself

Janice Renee Newman, Writing > 08 – Columns > 08D – Personal opinion (bylined, not editorial) Y? Why Not! Compassion: Is it M.I.A.? (Missing In Action)

Ronit Rose and Dan Dean, Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07H – Green/environmental Recycling is Complicated and Controversial

Carrie Steinweg, Writing > 08 – Columns > 08A – General My Stint As a Guest Lighthouse Keeper

Carrie Steinweg. Writing > 01 – News Story > 01C – Online publication “This Place Feels Like Home” – J.J. Kelley’s Celebrates 35 Years

CarrieSteinweg, Writing > 05 – Feature Story > 05C – Online publication A Christmas Story Comes Home for 40th Anniversary of Movie

Judi Strauss-Lipkin, Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07G – Government or politics PILSEN VOWS TO HANG ONTO COMMUNITY

Erin Sullivan, Graphics and Design > 25 – Page Design > 25B – Magazine or magapaper (newsletter format with magazine-style writing and design) The Caregiver’s Journey

Pat Szpekowski, Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07N – Religion New Initiative at Marmion Academy to Promote Healing, Moving Forward

Pat Szpekowski, Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07M – Physical health (fitness, diet, clean lifestyle) Take Time for Self Care

Mary Wagner, Web and Social Media > 37 – Blog > 37C – Personal The Rescue

Michele Weldon, Speeches > 57 – Speech “Truth Is A Dare: The Power of Claiming Your Story”

Michele Weldon, Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07L – Personal essay (article from author’s perspective with single thesis, supporting statements and conclusion) Why I’ve Decided Not To celebrate Holidays This Year

Cora Weisenberger, Web and Social Media > 40 – Electronic Newsletter > 40A – Nonprofit, government, or educational PenPoints Winter 2023

Second Place

Kathleen Aharoni, Oh, Naturale! COVER Chicago explores the role of trees in human health and heat mitigationWriting > 05 – Feature Story > 05B – Magazine, newsletter/other publication

Tracy Ahrens, Suffocating beautyPhotography > 21 – Single Photograph > 21C – General photo (open competition on any subject)

Tracy Ahrens, Watercolor moonWriting > Books, Short Stories, Verse > 16 – Creative Verse > 16A – Single poem

Lynne Conner.  Holy Angels’ Team ‘Proud Mouse’ Scores Visit From Broadway StarWriting > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07B – Arts and entertainment (enter reviews in 7O)

Lynne Conner, Rockford friends, local radio veterans hit the road with Life’s 3x5s podcastsWriting > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07J – Hobby (crafts, building, designing, construction)

Lynne Conner, Volunteer Tutors from St. James Looking to Expand Program at The Grove Housing CommunityWriting > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07Q – Social issues

Marlene Cook, Marlene’s MusingsWriting > 08 – Columns > 08A – General2nd Place2

Marlene Cook, Lansing History: Remembering Dr. Van Drunen, Lansing’s family doctor from 1936-1972Writing > 06 – Personality Profile > 06B – More than 750 words

Marlene Cook, Did Lansing Have a Pickle Factory?Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07E – Food

Marlene Cook, The Family Farm that Became Fox PointeWriting > 05 – Feature Story > 05C – Online publication

Elizabeth Dickey, All the Love There IsSpeeches > 57 – Speech

Joshua Friedberg, How “Live Like You Were Dying” Changed My Life as a Gay ManWriting > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07L – Personal essay (article from author’s perspective with single thesis, supporting statements and conclusion)

Joshua Friedberg, A Queer (Be)longingWeb and Social Media > 37 – Blog > 37C – Personal

Suzanne Hanney and Emma Murphy, Tulsa Race MassacreWriting > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07I – History

Suzanne Hanney, Request for Proposals races against Mother Nature to Save Your Ash treesWriting > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07H – Green/environmental

Suzanne Hanney, Finding a Home for Chicago’s Less Adoptable PetsEditing for Print or Online Publications > 19 – Publication Regularly Edited by Entrant > 19B – Magazine/Magapaper (newspaper format with magazine-style writing and design)

Alexandria Jacobson, ‘Just sitting there’: Why a dormant government fund got another cash infusionWriting > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07G – Government or politics

Janice Renee Newman and Matthew Jemilo, Y? Why Not! : Getting Financial Sound Episode 5 & 6Radio and Television > 29 – Special Programming > 29B – Television

Janice ReneeNewman and Matthew Jemilo, Y? Why Not! Show Topic: Eating Healthy Microgreens with Taproot Farms, Veronica & Josh TortorelloRadio and Television > 31 – Talk Show > 31B – Television

Janice ReneeNewman and Matthew Jemilo, Y? Why Not! S5 Ep1 Topic Speaking Through Poetry Final with guest Thasia AnneRadio and Television > 30 – Interview > 30B – Television

Janice ReneeNewman, Plow Through the SnowWriting > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07N – Religion

Janice ReneeNewman, Y? Why Not! Budgeting for the HolidaysWriting > 08 – Columns > 08C – Informational (how-to, Q&A, advice)

RandyRichardson, Havana HangoverWriting > Books, Short Stories, Verse > 11 – Fiction for Adult Readers > 11A – Novels (More than 40,000 words)

Carrie Steinweg, Museum Exhibit Again Honor’s Lansing HeroesWriting > 01 – News Story > 01C – Online publication

Erin Sullivan, The Call of the Road – Traveling for SeniorsGraphics and Design > 25 – Page Design > 25B – Magazine or magapaper (newsletter format with magazine-style writing and design)

Pat Szpekowski, Scenic Art Loop Shows Off Talented ArtistsWriting > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07T – Travel

Mary Wagner, Of Bairns and Wheelie BinsWriting > Books, Short Stories, Verse > 12 – Nonfiction Book for Adult Readers > 12C – Humor

Michele Weldon, The Simple Power of Martha Stewart’s Swimsuit CoverWriting > 04 – Editorial/Opinion

Michele Weldon, Sorry Is The Hardest WordWriting > 08 – Columns > 08D – Personal opinion (bylined, not editorial)

Michele Weldon, Take A Stand: 8 Strategies to Navigate TransparencyWriting > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07C – Business

Third Place

Tracy Ahrens, Gondola deckWriting > Books, Short Stories, Verse > 16 – Creative Verse > 16A – Single poem

Tracy Ahrens, Walking with GullsPhotography > 21 – Single Photograph > 21C – General photo (open competition on any subject)

Lynne Conner, Freelancing on Faith: My PerspectiveWriting > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07L – Personal essay (article from author’s perspective with single thesis, supporting statements and conclusion)

Marlene Cook, Lansing history: The Ford Hangar and Henry Ford’s lasting impact on LansingWriting > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07I – History

Marlene Cook, Lansing’s Original Village Hall has Served Board Members and Bike Owners – and much in betweenWriting > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07G – Government or politics

Joshua Friedberg, Recovering Music Snob Speeches > 57 – Speech

Joshua Friedberg, The 10 Books I Read in 2023 That Impacted Me the Most Writing > 08 – Columns > 08D – Personal opinion (bylined, not editorial)

Suzanne Hanney, Rummage Sale Guide: A Handy Guide to Vintage and Eco-friendly ShoppingEditing for Print or Online Publications > 19 – Publication Regularly Edited by Entrant > 19B – Magazine/Magapaper (newspaper format with magazine-style writing and design)

Suzanne Hanney, Who is the City For? Pulitzer Prize-winning architecture critic Blair Kamin on the future of ChicagoWriting > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07Q – Social issues

Bonnie McGrath, In five days Brandon Johnson will be our new Chicago Mayor….Web and Social Media > 37 – Blog > 37C – Personal

Janice Renee Newman & Matthew Jemilo, Y? Why Not! Topic: Why So Many Gods with Pastor Cid Zollicoffer of Jesus Lighthouse of Love MinistryRadio and Television > 30 – Interview > 30B – Television

Janice ReneeNewman, Y? Why Not! Don’t Fight Over the TurkeyWriting > 08 – Columns > 08C – Informational (how-to, Q&A, advice)

Janice Renee Newman, Y? Why Not! S5 E11 Topic: Chatting with Sonya & Friends in Erie PA: How to Create a Talk ShowRadio and Television > 31 – Talk Show > 31B – Television

Carrie Steinweg, This Week at Beggar’s Pizza – Resurrection of the 1927 Pipe OrganWriting > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07B – Arts and entertainment (enter reviews in 7O)

Carrie Steinweg, Loving the Luxury of Grand Geneva ResortWriting > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07T – Travel

Pat Szpekowski, Legacy of DaughtersWriting > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07C – Business

Michele Weldon, The Old-Fashioned Girls Names Making A Comeback Writing > 05 – Feature Story > 05C – Online publication

Honorable Mention 

Tracy Ahrens, Good-for-nothing grains Writing > Books, Short Stories, Verse > 16 – Creative Verse > 16A – Single poem

Tracy Ahrens, Wasteland Photography > 21 – Single Photograph > 21C – General photo (open competition on any subject)

Tracy Ahrens, Shots in jars Writing > Books, Short Stories, Verse > 16 – Creative Verse > 16A – Single poem

Tracy Ahrens, Vessels Photography > 21 – Single Photograph > 21C – General photo (open competition on any subject)

Tracy Ahrens, roots Writing > Books, Short Stories, Verse > 16 – Creative Verse > 16A – Single poem

Tracy Ahrens, Hull against water Writing > Books, Short Stories, Verse > 16 – Creative Verse > 16A – Single poem

Katie Brandt, Rising Concerns Writing > 03 – In-depth Reporting

Marlene Cook, Lansing History: Brick by Brick: a Community is Built Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07I – History

Lolita Ditzler, CHRISTMAS EVE Web and Social Media > 37 – Blog > 37C – Personal

Mabel Fleming, Mayday Manhaim Podcast #166 Web and Social Media > 36 – Podcast

Joshua Friedberg, 10 Best Contemporary Books That Blend Music and Personal Narrative Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07B – Arts and entertainment (enter reviews in 7O)

Joshua Friedberg, A Lost Revolution? 35 Years of ‘Tracy Chapman’ Writing > 05 – Feature Story > 05C – Online publication

Joshua Friedberg, The Best Advice I Ever Got Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07L – Personal essay (article from author’s perspective with single thesis, supporting statements and conclusion)

Joshua Friedberg, 5 Unusual Items of Gratitude for February Web and Social Media > 40 – Electronic Newsletter > 40C – Personal

Joshua Friedberg, Matthew Perry, Addictions, and Self-Care Writing > 08 – Columns > 08C – Informational (how-to, Q&A, advice)

Marion Gold & Jerry Marcus, “Escape from Heaven” Writing > Books, Short Stories, Verse > 11 – Fiction for Adult Readers > 11A – Novels (More than 40,000 words)

Suzanne Hanney, Chicago Votes: Mayoral candidates address homelessness Editing for Print or Online Publications > 19 – Publication Regularly Edited by Entrant > 19B – Magazine/Magapaper (newspaper format with magazine-style writing and design)

Suzanne Hanney, Kianna Drummond & A. Allen, Wabash Y: The Birthplace of Black History Month Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07I – History

Suzanne Hanney & A. Allen, MLK in North Lawndale Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07I – History

Suzanne Hanney, Celebrating Juneteenth Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07I – History

Suzanne Hanney, Chinese Cuisine:  An ambassador for Chinese Culture Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07I – History

Suzanne Hanney, Exploring Hillside Cemeteries with the Mayor Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07I – History

Frank Hosek, Land of blue smoke; Visiting Great Smoky Mountains National Park Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07T – Travel

Janice Renee Newman. Choosing Goals Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07C – Business

Carrie Steinweg, Road Trips and Real Adventures: And Entertaining Escape to Windsor Essex Web and Social Media > 37 – Blog > 37A – Nonprofit, government or educational

Pat Szpekowski Chicago Neighborhood POPS Writing > 07 – Specialty Articles > 07Q – Social issues