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MRS. RHEA E. CALLAWAY, Founder
MRS. XERNONA CLAYTON BRADY, National President

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namw
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National Association of Media Women, Inc.

MEDIA WOMEN IN 15TH ANNUAL CONVENTION

"I might tell you about concerns that political conventions and primary season are much too long and that the lines at the voting booths are too short but my greatest concern is that Black America is not being heard from on TV and radio or in the Press," stated Max Robinson, Emmy Award winning National Anchor of ABC-TV World News Tonight. He was guest speaker at the Awards banquet of the Fifteenth Annual Convention of the National Association of Media Women, Inc. at the Sheraton-Plaza Hotel in Chicago. Robinson added that "it serves us ill to sit at home and complain when we see something that demeans us. Until you are heard from films like 'Beulah Land' will continue." He urged that people call or write the stations because "we must take a look at TV which is involved in the mis-education of and about Black America. You can just tell them to 'cut the crap'. Other groups that make a point of making a point are being treated differently and the salvation of America is that there be equal justice in the land."

Mrs. Rosa Parks, honored by NAMW as the "Mother of the Civil Rights Movement" received A Special Award in recognition of the 25th anniversary of her refusal to move to the back of the bus in Montgomery, Alabama. "I shall do my best to continue to merit your faith" she responded. The National Achievement Award, annually given to someone outside the organization whose accomplishmnts have earned national attention and distinction went to Tom Shropshire, senior vice president-treasurer of Miller Brewing Company.

The in-organization Ida B. Wells Media Woman of the Year Award, named for the pioneering Black newswoman, the highest award given by NAMW, was won by Metropolitan New York Chapter member, a Founding member of NAMW and a past national president, Lois K. Alexander. Founder/Director of the Black Fashion Museum, which is the first of its kind in the world. National President Xernona Clayton Brady, Atlanta, presented the President's Award to Ellen Tarry, New York, also a founding member of NAMW. The Chicago chapter was cited as the Outstanding chapter of the year.

The annual NAMW scholarship was awarded to Cynthia Milsap, journalism senior at Know College, Chicago. Mark Hyman Associates, Philadelphia, gave $500 to the association for "professional advancement" and Walter Sloan of American Tobacco Company presented his company's $500 contribution to the scholarship fund. Sloan also gave a plaque to National President Xernona C. Brady citing her for "outstanding contribution to communications".

"In order to gain power you must have access to power" asserted Barbara Proctor. Chicago advertising executive, Keynote Speaker at the Thursday Opening Luncheon and she told Media Women that it is "time to go for the brass ring now".

Dwight M. Ellis, vice president, Department of Minority and Special Services, National Association of Broadcasters and president of the Capitol Press Club warned that "we have to make the Media more responsible to Black Americans" in his Friday Founder's Luncheon address and pointed out that "Black America is in danger of losing all gains by accepting second-class coverage by Media". He urged that his listeners write letters to the editors or call the radio or TV stations to express discontent.

John E. Jacob, Executive Vice President of the National Urban League, guest speaker at the Saturday President's Luncheon, said that "the coming struggle of the eighties will demand the utmost of Black people-discipline, cooperation, partnership(and)mutual support. Our community organizations must-cooperate to bring services to the poor and advocacy to the nation on their behalf".

Other speakers at the professional development seminars included Jeraldine Young Oburn, Associate Director, Chicago Field Center, Girl Scouts, U.S.A., Rosemarie Gulley, general assignment reporter, WLS-TV Eyewitness News, Beverly L. Smith, Director/Administrator, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Bureau of Consumer Affairs, Cordell Reed, vice president, Commonwealth Edison Company, Junius Hayes, III, Deputy Director, Office of Minority Economic Impact, U.S. Department of Energy and Paul Kucharski, marketing executive.

The 70-member Chicago Chapter, under the leadership of its president Naurice Roberts hosted the convention. Cochairpersons of the convention were Barbara C. Hopkins, National first vice president and Phy Stephens. Rhea E. Callaway, New York, is the Founder of NAMW.

The organization closed convention with a resolution to apprise electronic and print media of its concern over the apparent lack of commitment in the area of equal opportunity in the hiring of Blacks at the executive and policy making level and its concern over program content as related to the images of Blacks on the tube as well as in print.

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FACT SHEET
BACKGROUND
The National Association of Media Women was founded and organized by Rhea Calloway of New York. She envisioned an organization for Women engaged in mass communications to improve their skills and expand their talents.

She approached ten Media women in the New York area who had similar sentiments and on May 5, 1965, those eleven progressive thinkers formed the basis for a national organization. The founding committee assembled a group of women from across the country who were engaged in mass communications and organized the National Association of Media Women. This founding conference took place October 9-11, 1965 in New York City at the Overseas Press Club and the Waldorf Astoria Hotel.

PURPOSE
The purpose of the organization is the enrichment of the lives of its members through an exchange of ideas and experiences: study; research and seminars to find solutions to mutual problems; to create opportunities for women in mass media; program-designed to hasten recognition and achievement to so influence young women that they will be inspired to seek careers in mass communications.

WHO MAY JOIN
Any woman is professionally engaged in any area of mass communications may be elected to membership. She must be sponsored by at least one member of the Association who shall submit the prospective member's name and professional qualities for consideration.
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