Jenks has been an AWSM member for more than 20 years. A past vice president and coordinator, he oversaw the Denver 2015 convention and more than 10 regional events in Florida, New York and Pennsylvania. A frequent speaker at AWSM conventions and to student chapters, he funds one scholarship and half of a second (with Jorge Rojas). A successful fundraiser, he has mentored numerous women from aspiring sports journalists to executives working in print, digital and broadcast roles.

Michaelis is a former president and chair of the board who has played a role in several AWSM endeavors. She was a regional coordinator, helping plan and host events in the Denver area, and took on treasurer responsibilities during her time as chair. She also has been the faculty advisor for the student chapter at the University of Georgia, and regularly participates in conventions as a moderator or panelist.

During her five years on the board, Carlson secured the primary grant for AWSM's mid-career training program, which helped numerous members receive continuing education. She had an excellent track record for growing the organization’s membership during her tenure and was the primary fundraiser and co-planner for the 2011 convention in Charlotte. Carlson was also involved in the launch of AWSM's student chapter program and was a mentor in the AWSM Champions program.

An AWSM co-founder and its second president, Himmelberg was the first woman to successfully challenge the NFL for equal access with legal actions brought by her newspapers, in 1979 in Tampa Bay and in 1981 in San Francisco. She led AWSM's efforts to establish written, equal-access policies in all four major sports leagues. She became the first female sports columnist at the Orange County Register. Himmelberg transitioned to public relations in 2008, joining Disney Parks.

After joining the board as a vice president in 1992, Williams created the organization’s first website and oversaw the production of AWSM’s quarterly newsletter. A charter member of the group who served on the board for seven years, she also started and maintained an online job bank, assisted with multiple conventions – including the 20th anniversary meeting – and served as a mentor to numerous women working in print media.

As VP/digital, she redesigned AWSM’s website, retooled the newsletter and distribution process and instituted new membership and scholarship application systems. An AWSM member since 2001, she held a pivotal role in planning four conferences (serving as VP/conventions for two) and led member recruitment efforts as VP/outreach. Vargas continues to advise on AWSM’s digital applications.

An AWSM co-founder and past president, Huckshorn also is co-founder of the organization’s scholarship/internship program – which began in 1990. She and her husband, Martin Doerfler, have endowed a scholarship in honor of the group’s four founders since 2014. Huckshorn was instrumental in fundraising, membership recruitment and convention planning in AWSM’s early years.

A charter member of AWSM and the organization’s first president, Brennan also is co-founder of the scholarship/internship program – which began in 1990. She also endows two scholarships in the name of her parents each year. Brennan – who also served as board chairman and a student chapter mentor – was instrumental in fundraising, membership recruitment and convention planning in AWSM’s early years.

An AWSM member since 2000, Craver has coordinated more conventions and regional events than any member and also has been the organization’s top fundraiser. She held AWSM leadership roles, including board chairman, for more than 10 years and oversaw a website and social media overhaul as well as launch of the AWSM Champions mentor program. Craver continues to oversee major event planning.

As president of AWSM from 2007-08, Gerstner oversaw the organization’s application for non-profit status – which helped provide a framework for financial stability – and spearheaded a major fundraising campaign. An AWSM member since 1992, she also served as board chairman, VP/outreach and awards coordinator. Most recently, she helped restructure AWSM’s growing student chapter program.

A charter member of AWSM, Miller served as the organization’s treasurer for its first 10 years and later served as its board chairman. She has attended more conventions than any member, despite traveling from Hawaii – where she worked as a sports reporter for 33 years at the Honolulu Star-Advertiser before retiring in 2014 – and is a valued AWSM historian. The service award is named in her honor.