Photo credit: Daniel Swartz
“Now, since this is the fifth year of this great event, I wanted to give you five things to know: A fact is a fact. A fact is a fact. A fact is a fact. A fact is a fact. And, a fact is a fact,” said Chicago Sun Times Bureau Chief Lynn Sweet after being introduced by co-host Cathy Merrill Williams, Publisher & CEO of Washingtonian at the home of public affairs firm Story Partner’s Gloria Dittus for the 5th Annual Washington Women in Journalism Awards to kick-off White House Correspondents’ Dinner festivities. “The impact of this Trump Era is something I do want to get to right away because this is a time where our business is under attack. There’s so many journalists here and people who are involved in dealing with the journalism profession, and I think it’s important just to say that the most important thing in this time here is for a journalist to do our job. I don’t care what platform, but it’s important to do the job and not be distracted by everything going on around you. Get it right. Make the extra call. These principles never change. Look up the extra document. Just the things that you do every day, no matter if it’s your first day or your last.”
Lynn Sweet Photo credit: John Cary, Chicago Sun-Times
The awards reception brings together a few hundred Washington influencers and media to celebrate four award winners who embody excellence in reporting and play a vital role in covering the most important issues of the day, especially in today’s media landscape.
The award winners were selected from an advisory committee made up of public affairs and government relations professionals and congressional press secretaries. They include:
Lifetime Achievement: Amanda Bennett, Voice of America
Broadcast Television: Amy Walter, The Cook Political Report
Broadcast Radio: Audie Cornish, NPR
Print: Lynn Sweet, Chicago Sun-Times
“Lynn was working in a department store in California, mentioned to a friend that she might want to be a reporter,” added Williams. “She went to journalism school and then did every job writing from consumer health features to covering government reports as a general assignment reporter at the Sun Times in her native Chicago. Lynn also became one of the first journalist in the U.S. to analyze political ads for accuracy. Those years lead her to DC. A lot of Chicago political reporters might consider our town quaint and simple and innocent by comparison to Chicago; but Lynn quickly distinguished herself with a series of stories detailing the White House offering access to large donors. She has now been covering Washington for more than two decades. The late Sun Times columnist Robert Novak called her ‘The most prominent Sun Times Washington DC Bureau Chief in his 42 years with the paper.’ She has also been called competitive, tenacious, adamant, dogged, direct, decisive and a reporter’s reporter. For finding the straight story in a maze of Washington politics, Lynn Sweet is the 2018 Outstanding Woman in Print Journalism.” “I’ve covered political figures from their announcement to their indictment,” added Sweet.
Annie Groer and Lynn Sweet Photo credit: Janet Donovan
“I arrived in Washington in September, 1993 when Clinton was president. What is different under President Trump is the deliberate, constant assault on the truth and the attacks on journalism,” Sweet told Hollywood on the Potomac prior to the event. “What is also different, obviously, is how Trump communicates, which is via tweets. With Clinton, Bush and Obama, it was a reporting challenge to know what was on the mind of the president. With Trump, we don’t have to guess. Women are still behind when it comes to the very top jobs in journalism – both on the business and editorial sides of news organizations. I would have hoped that not be the case in 2018. It continues to be an uphill climb. I don’t have a favorite president. One of my most dramatic, intense reporting sagas was Clinton’s impeachment – the run-up and vote in the House and the Senate trial. One of my most interesting assignments was going to Africa with then Sen. Obama.”
“We have four incredible honorees. I am very honored to be Gloria’s partner in this,” said Merrill Williams. “I am also her next door neighbor. So, we live here and my boys often tell people we have a pool, we just keep it in Gloria’s back yard. And for people who have a pool, that’s the best kind to have.”
Cathy Merrill Williams and Amanda Bennett
“It’s a great honor for me to present the 2018 Washington Female Distinguished Journalist of the Year to my friend Amanda Bennett, Director of Voice of America. Amanda’s had a distinguished career. She served as a Wall Street Journal reporter for more than 20 years, covering everything from the Auto Industry in Detroit in the 1970s, to the Pentagon and State Department, to being a Beijing Correspondent, and a national economics correspondent. I suspect she’s also the first winner of this award who has ever worked as a model at the Detroit Auto Show. It was an assignment for The Journal, but that is what we call a fearless reporter. Over the years, Amanda has won, not one, but two Pulitzers. As a journalist, she shared a 1997 Pulitzer for reporting on how officials misrepresented the AIDs epidemic, and at the Oregonian in Portland, she lead a team to the prestigious public service Pulitzer. A lot of journalists here know that that’s the top Pulitzer of all the Pulitzers, for covering immigration. Before returning to Washington, Amanda went on to be editor of two major newspapers: The Lexington Herald Leader in Kentucky, and the Philadelphia Inquirer where she was the first female editor in the paper’s 174 year history. Before she was named Director of Voice of America in 2016, she was also the executive editor of Bloomberg News. Amanda is the author or co-author of six books. And she somehow found the time to do a TED Talk that has over one million views. For a career in journalism that is matched only by her wisdom, integrity, and dedication to her profession, Amanda Bennett is the Distinguished Woman Journalist of the Year.”
Julie Burton, Amanda Bennett, Cristal Williams Chancellor, Donald Graham, Annie Groer
“You know, a Lifetime Achievement means you have to think about your lifetime, right? So I was thinking back about when I was a reporter in Detroit, which is many, many years ago, our intern said there’s only two really good reasons for becoming a journalist: One is to change world, and the other is to have breakfast with Cary Grant. And she actually did have breakfast with Cary Grant, but I never did have breakfast with Cary Grant, and you know, listening to all the things that you were talking about here, the fake news and bots and things like that, I wonder if maybe I didn’t do such a good job changing the world either. And then, with all of the Me Too stuff, I’m even worried that maybe I didn’t do such a good job being a woman journalist. But then, I think about the Voice of America, which is where I am right now. You don’t see it or hear it, but all around the world the most repressed societies on Earth, we speak to them, and it’s like it’s a wonderful life, because I get a chance to see what the world would be like if we weren’t here. And I see people who literally die from the things that we do. And, so, I also think about being a woman in journalism. And I would like to tell you that here in the audience are two fellow managers here. I believe this two thousand person organization is the only news organization in America that is headed by three women in their 60s.”
The Scene
Guests enjoyed a lavish buffet, luxurious surroundings, fancy bar and serious take away gifts.
“This event was born from a noticeable lack of public recognition for female journalists. So, in today’s news cycle, which is very volatile, for better or for worse, is part of our landscape today,” said Dittus. “Words like truth and fake news are smacked around faster than a tennis ball in the Williams Sister’s event. So in it’s five years existence, I think it’s safe to say that there’s never been a more important time for these awards. Tonight we gather on the precipice of a new frontier for females for journalism and for female journalists. A few months ago, Time’s Person of the Year went to The Silence Breakers for giving voice to open secrets and for moving whisper networks into social networks. It was a recognition of vocal women, both as subjects and authors of these groundbreaking stories. The Silence Breakers are telling the world, not that women are a force to be reckoned with, but that women are the force of The Reckon. Because while history has shown us that female journalists are more likely to go unrecognized than male journalists, recent history has shown us that upheaval is more powerful than status. I certainly don’t need to recap this for this audience tonight, you’re living it. You’re reporting on it. You’re examining it. You’re rising above critique and embracing it head on when necessary. And for all these reasons, and among so many others, we honor you tonight. In times of past, nationwide described Coretta Scott King said ‘Women, if the soul of the Nation is to be saved, I believe that you must become the Nation’s soul.'”
Cathy Merrill Williams and Gloria Dittus
Hollywood on the Potomac chatted with Gloria prior to the event as we were curious about the following:
“There are so many accomplished women journalists reporting on business in our nation’s Capital. Five years ago we looked at the many journalism awards that recognized reporting excellence and discovered there was a significant gap in how female reporters were recognized for their achievements. A few of us got together and decided to make a change. The Women in Journalism Awards were born. I am proud we have been able to able to offer a platform, in a formal yet fun and social setting, to recognize the best of the best in women in journalism for five years in a row.”
“Three female journalists have had a distinct impact on my life. When I was just starting out in my career at Exxon, a young reporter from Business Week, Barbara Star, and I became friends. I learned about focus and dedication from Barbara. She worked hard and was tireless when chasing a story. Of course, the legendary Helen Thomas impacted so many of us in Washington. She was always so gracious with her time; always mentoring young women and helping people in their careers. I learned the importance of paying it forward from her. And, last, but certainly not least is Kimberly Dozier. After suffering a life threatening injury during war-zone reporting, Kim never gave up. Fighting through her recovery, she rebuilt her life, and her career in journalism. Her tenacious, ‘never give up’ attitude is simply inspiring.”
Cathy Merrill Williams and Gloria Dittus
“The #metoo movement has shined a light into a dark corner of our business culture, in all industries and at all levels. Hopefully, it will change the dynamic for the generations women who work in journalism, on Capitol Hill or in the boardroom. If you want to achieve lasting success in your career, rely on your brain, your instincts and your work ethic to set yourself apart. There is no easy or overnight path to success.”
“We felt it was important for our media partner, The Washingtonian, to take the lead in developing the initial list of deserving journalists based on a review of their career achievements and their recent body of work. Their editorial department prepares a brief on each awardee for review by a final selection committee. Nonprofit, government and corporate communications professionals join with the Washingtonian’s editorial team to review proposed awardees and rank them. Journalists with the most votes are selected to receive the awards.”
Gloria Dittus and Cathy Merrill Williams
“In this post #metoo environment, female journalists are in the same place as the rest of us. To create a supportive environment, my advice would be to deliver a strong work ethic every day, earn the respect and trust of your peers and colleagues and don’t be afraid to stand up for yourself. Also, work harder and smarter and always deliver more than is expected of you! That will create an atmosphere of support at all levels of an organization.”
Audie Cornish is the co-host of All Things Considered, NPR’s news magazine. “Audie started at NPR in the summer as an intern 18 years ago. On her journey to the host seat, she reported on disasters including hurricanes, tornadoes, and the deaths of West Virginia miners. Later while working in Boston, she covered major news stories including the Boston Catholic Arch Deices Sex Abuse scandal, and won first prize for National education writing for her ground breaking series on the achievement gaps in schools,” said Williams by way of introduction. “When she returned to DC Cornish reported from Capital hill before being tapped to host one of NPR’s signature shows. Audie is such an underachiever that while she was on maternity leave last year, she published interviews in the New York Tmes magazine. Maybe being home with an infant is the preparation for interviewing politicians. For shining a light on all the things we should have considered, Audie Cornish is the 2018 Outstanding Woman in Radio Journalism.”
Audie Cornish Photo credit: Janet Donovan
“You don’t look like what I thought you’d look like either,” said Cornish. “One day it was take your child to work day and I brought my 8 month old and somebody posted a photo of us, and I’m holding him aloft and it looks very social media angelic, and I just thought, wow, I’m a real badass. And then I felt really bad about that because I realized there’s so much work, and work by other women that went into that photo, from the female producers that work on our show, to yes, the nanny, to yes, the coworker, all these things that we don’t talk about that help us do this incredible job we do as women. And the thing about being a woman in journalism is that it’s one of these jobs were you basically just, you walk into rooms where no one wants to see or hear from you, and you start talking. And you don’t stop. And you don’t try to sleep with anyone in that room. As we’ve learned in the last year, that is very confusing to some people. So, to all the people behind me who I have admired from a distance, Lynn, and Amy, and Gloria, I just think that you can’t know how much it means for us to see you. Because I know I wouldn’t be here if I hadn’t seen Gwen Ifill, it wouldn’t have occurred to me to [do] the job. So, just being there matters.”
Amy Walter Photo credit: Janet Donovan
Amy Walter is the national editor of the Cook Political Report. We know her best for her political analysis every Monday evening on the PBS News Hour. “TV prognosticators often wind up eating crow, but Amy knows the actual numbers backwards and forwards, and can discuss it in ways that civilians can understand it. She’s a regular panelist on NBC’s Meet the Press, Fox News, CBS Face the Nation, and over the years, she has been honored with the Washington Post Crystal Ball Award from her spot on election predictions. Amy, we can’t wait to hear what you think about 2020,” said Cathy. “Or actually, maybe we can. Walter’s true voice sets her apart from the chorus of Washington commentators. Charlie Cook says ‘Her work is trusted and respected by Democrats and Republicans alike.’ She knows how to get beyond luster and spin to unearth and explain what really matters in the political arena. For sharing her unbiased incites with TV audiences, Amy Walter is the 2018 Outstanding Woman in Television Journalism.”
Lynn Sweet, Audie Cornish, Amy Walter, Cathy Merrill Williams
“What an honor this is and to be with this,” responded Walter. “You guys are funny, smart, I was told there’d be no math, Thank you for what you do, for keeping this going, year after year, and it seems to get bigger every year. Can’t park anywhere around here. It’s fantastic. I’m sure your neighbors love that. I do think that my life has come full circle. I came to Washington in 1991, and about, feels like five minutes after I got here, there was this Supreme Court battle with Clarence Thomas and it was at that moment that the 1992 election really was kicked off as year of the woman. Right? This was the very first year that we saw woman candidates sort of come on up from the grass roots, we saw more women elected in 1992 than at any time previously. Here we are all these years later, in another time where women are [wanting] at the inflection point.”
Takeaway: #NOT FAKE NEWS!
A LOOK BACK: 2015
