Deadline extended for AWSM Pioneer Award nominations

November 27, 2011

AWSM looking for next Pioneer

Don’t delay: Nomination deadline Dec. 2 for 2012 Mary Garber Pioneer Award

For a decade, the Association for Women in Sports Media has honored giants in the field of journalism with the Mary Garber Pioneer Award. Each year, a worthy recipient is recognized for her distinguished work in the industry and her commitment to upholding and advancing the values of AWSM.

Much like the late Mary Garber, award winners have pushed the envelope, stretching themselves and those around them to aim higher and dig deeper.

From the days of breaking through closed locker room barriers to an era of excelling in new media and advanced technology, Pioneers with diligence and passion accept challenges and achieve greatness in the process.

Candidates for the Pioneer Award are nominated by the AWSM membership, and voted upon by the board members and past Pioneer Award recipients. The opportunity to nominate legends and trendsetters — past and present — for the highest honor bestowed upon an AWSM member should be acknowledged with your full participation.

While candidates need not be members of AWSM, we ask they be seen as supportive of the organization and its mission: to serve as a positive advocate for women in sports media; to mentor and assist young women entering into sports media and to serve as a watchdog, promoting fair portrayal of female professionals in sports media.

We are asking that every AWSM member nominate at least one person who epitomizes the spirit of the award.

Nominations are encouraged from all facets of media: newspapers, online, magazines, television, radio and public relations. Whether it’s covering unprecedented territory in new media, building towers of achievement in television, radio, newspapers and magazines, or pushing the industry forward with technology, visuals and more, Pioneer candidates need to be recognized .

All nominations are due by Dec. 2, 2011. Email Pioneer Award chair Meri-Jo Borzilleri (merijo.borzilleri@awsmonline.org) with your nomination. Please include the nominee’s name, work or professional affiliation and a brief explanation of why you believe this person should be nominated.

To learn more about the Pioneer Award and past recipients, please visit: awsmonline.org/awsm-next-pioneer/

Finalists will be selected by the board and past Pioneer winners and then voted upon by Dec.12.

Pioneer Award recipients:

1999: Lesley Visser

2000: Claire Smith

2001: Michele Himmelberg

2002: Tracy Dodds

2003: Melissa Ludtke

2004: Christine Brennan

2005: Cathy Henkel

2006: Kristin Huckshorn

2007: Julie Ward