FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 20, 2021
Contact:
Carolyn Jabs, AWC-SB
news@awcsb.org
(805) 845-9774
Santa Barbara Chapter (AWC-SB) Earns National Recognition
from the Association for Women in Communications
Local chapter & members honored with multiple awards
[Santa Barbara, CA] The Santa Barbara Chapter of the Association for Women in Communications has won multiple awards from the national AWC organization. Honors include the Chapter Excellence Award, presented for outstanding programs, activities, and participation to advance the organization.
“Despite the challenges of the pandemic, we were able to continue meeting regularly with our members and providing both the professional development and personal connections that are so important to this organization,” noted Lisa Osborn, AWC-SB president. “Our chapter doubled in size while we were meeting on Zoom, and we can offer even more to our members now that we’re back to meeting in person.“
Osborn herself was the recipient of a Star Award, presented to a member who is an exceptional communicator and has excelled in activities promoting the chapter, as well as activities that advance women in the field of communications.
“Year after year our members impress us with their accomplishments, their generous hearts, and their willingness to give back to their communities,” observed Mitzie Zerr, AWC National Membership Chair. “These ‘Stars’ are a true reflection of outstanding AWC members and everything our organization is committed to for the future.”
A team of local communicators who worked together to produce the chapter’s 2021 Women of Achievement Awards, AWC-SB’s signature event, were also recipients of a Team Award. Emcee Starshine Roshell — along with board members Monica Kunz, Erica Schweitzer, and Lisa Osborn — were honored for working together to achieve extraordinary results in the 2021 live-stream event, which honored communications leaders Barbara Ben-Horin and Luz Reyes-Martin. “Several guests who attended said it was the liveliest Zoom ever, with flashy audio-visuals and an active, congratulatory chat component,” said Osborn.
Plans are currently underway for the 14th Annual AWC-SB Women of Achievement Awards with the theme “Navigating Uncharted Waters.” Taking place at the Cabrillo Arts Pavilion on Friday, April 29, 2022, more details about the Women of Achievement Awards luncheon will be announced soon.
In addition to the organizational honors, in 2021, two individual AWC-SB members were the recipients of three AWC Clarion Awards, symbolizing excellence in clear, concise communications. Judith Smith-Meyer with Foodbank of Santa Barbara County was awarded a Clarion for ‘best newsletter.’ Voice-over narrator Lisa Osborn, with her producing partner videographer Ken Pfeiffer, picked up two awards in online media categories.
AWC-SB members include communicators from a wide variety of fields, from journalists and public information officers to authors, academics, photographers, graphic artists, social media influencers, and public relations experts. Meetings are held on the first Wednesday of each month. Members attend free. Check awcsb.org for details about membership and upcoming meetings, and to join the mailing list.
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ABOUT AWC & AWC-SB
AWC is a national organization that has been encouraging women to develop their skills as communicators for over 100 years. AWC-SB, the Santa Barbara chapter, sponsors monthly meetings which help women at all stages of their careers stay current with important developments in the technology, practice, psychology, and ethics of communications. Members are also encouraged to assume leadership roles in the organization, their careers, and their communities. For more information, including upcoming events, go to awcsb.org.