New Mexico Press Women » 2010 NMPW Conference – 60th Anniversary

If you missed Hank Stuever…

nmpw — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 20:35:44 +0000

National Federation of Press Women President Cynthia Price blogs about the keynote address at NMPW’s 60th anniversary conference:

Arriving at a Fixed Destination

Hank Stuever is all about fixed destinations.

His words from last evening’s New Mexico Press Women’s 60th anniversary Conference and Communications Awards Banquet have reached their fixed destination on this blog. I hope it’s a fitting destination.

Hank, an award-winning pop culture writer for the Washington Post’s Style section and a former newspaper reporter from Albuquerque noted that books, newspapers and movies at the theater are all fixed destinations and that these are “the things we are on the precipice of losing.”

Continued

NMPW’s Name: To Change, Or Not To Change?

nmpw — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 16:56:54 +0000

At the annual meeting on Saturday, April 17, 7-9:30 a.m., NMPW members will consider changing the name “New Mexico Press Women” to a gender-neutral alternative. Register your opinion in the poll to the right and by leaving comments below, and vote at the membership meeting on April 17!

Read an argument in favor of changing NMPW’s name

Read an argument in support of keeping NMPW’s name

Moniker change may capture attention of social media

Laurie Mellas — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 11:17:40 +0000

Leading up to a historic “vote for (name) change” at our 60th anniversary conference, I implore our members and attendees to read the history as presented by NMPW Historian Denise Tessier in the recent BROADSHEET. In true journalism form, she shows rather than tells the story behind the passion our upcoming discussion and vote are sure to ignite.

As a state board member, former chapter president, and with 15 years invested in our organization, I, too, recall the debates, some heated, about the pros and cons of moving to a gender-neutral moniker. In the early 90s I was somewhat convinced it was imperative to our survival that we drop “women.” At the turn of the century, armed with new research that women, although highly visible in media and other professions, had not made ample strides in pay and promotions, I swayed toward keeping our name intact. Okay, yes, I flip-flopped. Even now, I am torn. Currently two of our three chapters are led by men. In the trenches of a college campus daily, I also have anecdotal evidence that some millenials are turned off by the gender specificness of our name, while others are not aware men are ”welcome.”

But for me, the tipping point came earlier this year when I learned that young bloggers in Albuquerque were about to launch yet another media networking organization in an effort to embrace “new media.” “Hold the (cell) phone,” I exclaimed! ABQ has a plethora of professional organizations focused on communication, PR and marketing. Press Women, I argued, is exceptional in that we shine a light on ethics in journalism and fight to preserve the First Amendment. These not-so-subtle differences poise our organization to bask in the glow of the explosion of new media. These social writers and artists seek recognition and guidance as they bravely manuever an entirely new world of communicating – one that is instant, global. We are positioned to offer a certain wisdom 60 years in the making. Will becoming a palindrome (New Mexico Media Network) attract and sustain membership? I’m still not sure. I propose we blog about it. And then let’s enjoy each other’s company at the conference!

Laurie Mellas
NMPW College Scholarship Chair

Note: 22 of the state affiliates still have “women” in their names; 15 do not.

Reserve Your Room for the 2010 Conference

nmpw — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:19:06 +0000

Make your room reservations early for New Mexico Press Women’s 60th anniversary conference, April 16-17, 2010, at the Sheraton Albuquerque Uptown. A discount rate of $99 (plus tax) per night for a single or double room is available until 5 p.m. on March 25, 2010. After that date, standard rates will apply.

To receive the discounted conference rate, call 1-800-252-7772 and request the “Press Women” rate. For more information about amenities at the Sheraton Albuquerque Uptown, visit sheratonabq.com (the discount is not available with online reservations).

If you have any difficulties making a reservation, please contact the conference chair at michal@unm.edu.