By guest contributor Claire Sanders Swift
Photo credit: Neshan Naltchayan
The ANWC (American News Women’s Club) awarded Wolf Blitzer with its highest honor – the 2019 Excellence in Journalism Award – at its annual benefit dinner, this year a “Roast & Toast honoring Wolf Blitzer” at the National Press Club. To a packed ballroom, Wolf Blitzer and his team of Roasters brought down the house. ANWC president Janis Lamar and the ANWC created their own Situation Room. Janis Lamar noted: “For more than 40 years, Wolf has admirably practiced the fundamental values of good journalism, reporting the news accurately, honestly, responsibly and fairly. The ultimate professional, Wolf’s work truly has made him an icon in journalism.”
Wolf Blitzer with President of the ANWC, Janis Lamar
Emcee Dana Bash, CNN Chief Political Correspondent – a close friend of Wolf and member of the “Wolf pack” – shared her experiences with Wolf and poked fun at the many aspects of the working Wolf Blitzer. Roasters/toasters: Susan Page, Washington Bureau Chief of USA Today; Sam Feist, CNN Washington Bureau Chief; Jay Schalor, Executive Producer of CNN’s Situation Room; CNN’s Ana Navarro brought fun and color to the evening. There was a surprise visit from Gee Whiz as Wolf is a loyal fan of the Washington Wizards. The ballroom was packed with members and special guests, all great admirers of Wolf. It was truly a night to remember.
Wolf Blitzer and Dana Bash
The ANWC began awarding its Excellence in Journalism Award in 1993 with Helen Thomas. Past recipients, all icons in journalism, include Walter Cronkite, Barbara Walters, Katie Couric, Norah O’Donnell to name a few. Wolf Blitzer is the first male journalist honored since the ANWC selected Brian Lamb in 2006. Proceeds for the evening are to benefit ANWC scholarships and the ANWC internship program.
Eleanor Clift, Chairman of the Scholarship Committee, Jaha Knight, Scholarship Winner from American University with Wolf Blitzer
The American News Women’s Club is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to preserving excellence in journalism; expanding the advancement of women in journalism and related media professions; providing networking, mentoring and development opportunities; and educational programs. Founded in 1932, the ANWC is one of our nation’s first women’s press clubs.
Wolf Blitzer and Anna Navarro
About Wolf Blitzer: The longest-serving anchor at CNN, Blitzer began his career in 1972 with Reuters in Tel Aviv and as a Washington, DC correspondent for The Jerusalem Post beginning in 1973. Blitzer joined CNN in 1990 and has served as the network’s military-affairs correspondent at the Pentagon, CNN’s senior White House correspondent, and the anchor of CNN’s Sunday public affairs program “Late Edition with Wolf Blitzer.” CNN launched “The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer” in 2005, with Blitzer providing in-depth reports about political, international and breaking news stories of the day.
