2024 Silver Feather Winner, Janice Newman

Entrepreneur Janice Newman has won the 2024 Silver Feather Award for the 83rd Illinois Woman’s Press Association Mate E. Palmer Professional Communications Contest. Her entries earned her five First Place Awards, and five Second Place, captured three Third Place and claimed three Honorable Mentions in the competition.

“Congratulations to Janice on being named the 2024 IWPA Silver Feather Award winner,” IWPA President Art Brauer said. “Her work represents the high standards IWPA adheres to, and we’re delighted to be able to recognize her accomplishment.” Established in 1972 by IWPA, the Silver Feather Award is presented annually during its Spring Awards luncheon. This year it will be held on May 25 at The Public Landing in Lockport, Illinois.  The winner is determined by the overall number of entries from the entrant that place in the professional contest.

Newman currently is the producer and host of a Comcast public access television show, Y? Why Not! The show airs in over 8 states with interesting guests and topics on social issues, self-improvement, ministry, etc. It has earned Newman numerous awards for “talk show” from the Illinois Woman’s Press Association (IWPA.org), National Federation of Press Women (NFPW.org), and Midwest Region of Alliance for Community Media.

As an entrepreneur, Janice owns a Real Estate Appraisal and Brokerage business. She has a Master’s degree in Professional Development with a certificate in Christian Counseling, and a Bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, with a minor in Psychology. Janice is a licensed Special Education teacher, specializing in intermediate grades.

She also has a certificate in Life Coaching and conducts life coaching and goal-setting seminars. She created a summer teen youth community group to provide a safe education haven for youth to learn character and life-building skills.

Janice currently serves as a volunteer on the IWPA Board as 1st Vice President and Program Chair.

Newman’s first-place winning entries will compete on the national platform in the National Federation of Press Women professional contest. All entries were published or broadcast between Jan. 1, 2023, and Dec. 31, 2023.  NFPW will announce the winners of the national contest on June 22, 2024, at their annual conference awards banquet held this year in St. Louis, Missouri.