Las Cruces Press Women Sponsors COVID-19 and the Media Response II

Posted on 08/30/2020 by Larry Bonura

Las Cruces Press Women is sponsoring a continuing Zoom conversation on how did governmental communications professionals provide critical public health information during the COVID-19 crisis? The event, COVID-19 and the Media Response II, takes place Monday, Aug 31, from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.

The discussion will be moderated by Damien Willis, lead reporter for the Las Cruces Sun-News and New Mexico Press Women 2020 Communicator of Achievement award winner. Confirmed panelists include:

Justin Bannister, associate vice president of marketing and communications for New Mexico State University
Kelly Jameson, public information officer for Las Cruces Public Schools
Dan Trujillo, public information officer for the Las Cruces Police Department
Mark Rudi, media relations manager, for University of New Mexico Health Sciences

This event is open to the public and there is no charge to attend, but advance registration before 5:30 p.m. the day of the panel is required to receive the Zoom link. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Please remember to use the same email account with which you registered to join the meeting.

Rudolfo Anaya: ¡Presente! A Tribute to New Mexico’s Literary Padrino

Posted on 07/13/2020 by Larry Bonura

A panel of scholars and writers discuss the literary life and legacy of Rudolfo Anaya and his works. This online event is presented by the Santa Fe New Mexican and will be shown live on santafenewmexican.com Tuesday, at 1:00 pm MDT and made available also on Facebook.

Educators are encouraged to share this presentation with students and can contact webeditor@sfnewmexican.com to receive an archive file of this event.

The panel will be moderated by Patricia Trujillo Director, Northern New Mexico College Office of Equity & Diversity and include:

Levi Romero New Mexico Poet Laureate
Belinda Henry: Anaya Scholar and niece
Norma E. Cantú: Scholar and author
Author Denise Chavez

Made possible by the support of the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs, National Hispanic Cultural Center and Northern New Mexico College.

You can register at Eventbrite.

Zoom Conversation: La Jornada Sculpture

Posted on 07/08/2020 by Larry Bonura

New Mexico Press Women will host a Zoom Conversation, exclusively for members, on Monday, July 13, from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. The topic will center on the controversies surrounding the La Jornada sculpture outside of the Albuquerque Museum. Joining us will be Sherri Brueggemann, who runs the Albuquerque Arts Board, Pamela Weese Powell, who is chair of the Albuquerque Museum Board of Trustees, and Nora Naranjo Morse, the artist responsible for one-half of La Jornada. All three women have fascinating stories that have not been reported in the news to share with our members.

If you are are a member and are interested in attending this meeting, you can request a registration link by emailing newmexicopresswomen@gmail.com.

If you are not a member but would like to attend, please consider paying our $15 membership dues before Monday, 13 July, at 9:00 a.m. After joining NMPW, you can send an email to newmexicopresswomen@gmail.com to request an email to register for the Zoom Conversation by 10:00 a.m. on Monday, 13 July.

Only NMPW members will be admitted into exciting this Zoom Conversation.

Damien Willis Recognized as National Communicator of Achievement Nominee

Posted on 07/08/2020 by Larry Bonura

Photo of Damien Willis in a standing thinker pose Damien Willis of Las Cruces was recognized as a nominee for the 2020 Communicator of Achievement Award from the National Federation of Press Women (NFPW). This prestigious award has been given for 63 years. Willis was one of 10 nominees recognized during a virtual celebration held in lieu of events at the organization’s annual conference, which was canceled this year due to the pandemic.

Now in its 83rd year, NFPW is a nationwide organization of professional women and men pursuing careers across the spectrum of journalism and communications. The Communicator of Achievement award is the highest honor bestowed by NFPW upon those members who have distinguished themselves within and beyond their field. The recipient, chosen from nominees selected by state affiliates from around the country, is recognized for exceptional achievement in the communications field, as well as service to NFPW, the affiliate organization and the community.

Willis, vice president of New Mexico Press Women, has built a career in journalism and communications now exceeding 20 years. His work has included 13 years as a popular local radio-station DJ, public relations officer for the local attorney general’s office and Las Cruces Public Schools, and traditional newspaper journalism. He has written 800 consecutive columns on entertainment for the Las Cruces Sun-News and is now lead reporter and coach for the paper.

Sandy Michel Nance of Wheat Ridge, Colo., a retired journalist and public relations professional, was chosen from among the nominees as NFPW’s 2020 Communicator of Achievement. Nance was one of a handful of early female news bureau staffers with United Press International (UPI), was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize for reporting at the Casper, Wyo., Star-Tribune, worked in public relations for Mountain Bell and US West, and was a publications editor for the American Water Works Association.

In Memory of George Floyd

Posted on 06/05/2020 by Larry Bonura

New Mexico Press Women condemns the senseless and unjust murder of George Floyd and stands with the journalists who are covering the protests. Journalists report the news every day, even at the risk of their own safety. In the overheated atmosphere of this summer, when journalists rush to the scene of the action, they are becoming targets of groups who don’t want their actions recorded. Journalists and their organizations need all the support we can give, by watching, reading and financially supporting them.

We also support the legions of Americans who record and share information that we would otherwise never know. It was a citizen who video-recorded the death of George Floyd and shared his last words. Democracy thrives when citizens stand up and record something urgent. At this moment in history, sharing history-making video gives renewed meaning to the phrase citizen journalist.

New Mexico Press Women