Association for Women in Communications, San Antonio Professional Chapter

The San Antonio Professional Chapter of the Association for Women in Communications is a non-profit professional organization that began as an alumni chapter of the college honorary society, Theta Sigma Phi in the mid 1930s. In 1948 it was recognized by the national group, and by 1972, Theta Sigma Phi changed its name to Women in Communications, Inc. and opened its membership to men. The mission of the organization is to champion the "advancement of women across all communications disciplines by recognizing excellence, promoting leadership and positioning its members at the forefront of the evolving communications era." Organizational goals include promoting the advancement of women in all fields of communications, working for First Amendment rights and responsibilities of communicators, recognizing distinguished professional achievements, and to promoting high professional standards throughout the communications field. In 1996 the organization officially changed its name to the Association for Women in Communications (AWC).

Among the services the AWC provides to its members at a national, regional, and local level are job search assistance, professional development opportunities, networking, publications, and group savings in the forms of insurance, personal and homeowner's equity loans, and credit cards. The San Antonio chapter also offers scholarships and funding for internships to it members.

The San Antonio chapter is governed by a board of directors partially nominated and elected by and from the general membership and partially appointed by the president. Officers serve a term of one year or until their successors are elected, no longer than two consecutive years. The organization maintains three standing committees including a Membership Qualifications Committee, an Internship/Scholarship Committee, and a Professional Development Committee.

Among its many activities and programs, The San Antonio chapter counts the Headliner/Proliner Awards celebration as its biggest and most successful. The purpose of the Headliner Award is to honor excellence in education, professional achievement, public endeavor, volunteer service, and service to the AWC, while the Proliner Award recognizes outstanding professional achievement in the field of communications. The proceeds of the event go toward the Ajay Castro Scholarship, which was established in 1989.

One of the earliest projects sponsored by the AWC was a program for high school journalism students. The organization has had a long relationship with the San Antonio Youth Literacy (SAYL) program. They have collaborated on various projects ranging from ad campaigns to interview skills workshops. Other WICI activities include assisting San Antonio Ford car dealerships in their annual holiday Books for Kids drive along with several school supply drives, and an emergency shoe fundraiser in 1995 with Communities in Schools, a nonprofit organization targeting public school students facing obstacles to academic success.

From the guide to the Association for Women in Communications, San Antonio Professional Chapter Records MS 8., 1948-2007, (University of Texas at San Antonio Libraries Special Collections)