New Mexico Press Women.

New Mexico Press Women (NMPW) was founded in 1950. It was based on an earlier organization of the working women of the New Mexico press called the Albuquerque Women's Press Club. The founder and first president of the New Mexico Press Women was Ann Conger. NMPW's constitution was formally adopted on Jan. 28, 1951, to "promote the highest ideals of journalism; and to promote the exchange of journalistic ideas and experiences; and to coordinate editorial opinion on matters of interest to women."In 1953, the NMPW initiated the Zia award, to honor a woman who performed outstandingly in the New Mexico media. Winners of this award include Erna Fergusson (1955), Ina Sizer Cassidy (1956), Bertha Dutton (1971), and Leslie Marmon Silko (1980). The New Mexico Press Women is a chapter of the National Federation of Press Women, which was founded in 1937. The state organization remains active in the 21st century, with an expanded membership and amended, but similar goals, including promoting professional standards in journalism, establishing specialized education programs, and obtaining better salaries for press women.

From the description of Records, 1952-1992. (University of New Mexico-Main Campus). WorldCat record id: 48878315

(Box 4, Folder 1).

New Mexico Press Women (NMPW) was founded in 1950. It was based on an earlier organization of the working women of the New Mexico press called the Albuquerque Women's Press Club. The founder and first president of the New Mexico Press Women was Ann Conger. NMPW's constitution was formally adopted on Jan. 28, 1951, to "promote the highest ideals of journalism; and to promote the exchange of journalistic ideas and experiences; and to coordinate editorial opinion on matters of interest to women."

In 1953, the NMPW initiated the Zia award, to honor a woman who performed outstandingly in the New Mexico media. Winners of this award include Erna Fergusson (1955), Ina Sizer Cassidy (1956), Bertha Dutton (1971), and Leslie Marmon Silko (1980).

The New Mexico Press Women is a chapter of the National Federation of Press Women, which was founded in 1937. The state organization remains active in the 21st century, with an expanded membership and amended, but similar goals, including promoting professional standards in journalism, establishing specialized education programs, and obtaining better salaries for press women.

Sources: Encyclopedioa of Associations: National Organizations Of The United States, 37th Editions, 2001; New Mexico Press Women History, 1949-1989, by Sandy Schauer, 1990.

From the guide to the New Mexico Press Women Records, 1949-2009, (University of New Mexico. Center for Southwest Research.)