The
National Capital Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America
presented its highest, annual individual-recognition awards at the
chapter’s end-of-year Holiday Celebration on Dec. 8. These awards are
the Diversity Champion award, which recognizes dedication to promoting
and preserving ethnic and cultural diversity within the practice of
public relations, and the Diamond Award, given to the chapter’s “most
valuable member” for 2005.
Gloria Rodriguez,
founder, president, and CEO of Comunicad, Inc., was the recipient of
the Diversity Champion award, and Tracy Schario, director of media
relations for The George Washington University, received the Diamond
Award.
“Ms. Rodriguez
is the epitome of a diversity champion. She has built a public
relations and marketing communications career that at every turn has
fostered diversity and multiculturalism both here and abroad. She
mentored over 50 Latina communications professionals as chair of the
National Hispana Leadership Institute,” said Jeffrey Lofton, APR, chair
of the 2005 PRSA-NCC Diversity Committee. Ms. Rodriguez was named a
professor of the Gallup University’s School of Executive Leadership for
her work promoting multicultural research.
Comunicad,
Inc., has provided pro-bono service for almost every major Hispanic
organization in the United States, including the Congressional Hispanic
Caucus Institute and the National Council of La Raza.
Ms.
Rodriguez is a graduate of Rockford College, the University of Madrid,
and George Washington University. Her career began in Washington, D.C.,
on the Metromedia News team, now Fox Television, as the only Hispanic
producer in a major U.S. news market.
Schario, who served as NCC
president-elect in 2005, was named the “most valuable member” for the year
because she was actively involved in virtually every major program and activity
of the year. Her service and impact far exceeded the normal responsibilities of
her office. Schario has
been an active member of the chapter for nearly a decade, having served as
co-chair of the International, Program and Sponsorship committees, as well as
supporting the Thoth Awards for several years. She also served as board liaison
for the redevelopment of the chapter's Web site and
newsletter.
“Tracy
was truly the wind beneath my wings this year,” said chapter President
Bob Bryant, APR, chief of command information for the Defense
Information Systems Agency. “She made great things happen, and she
ensured that everything we did was done well and was successful.”
Heathere
Evans-Keenan, APR, president of Keenan PR, was given a special award
for her vision, dedication, and service to the chapter, including being
the founder of the Independent Public Relations Alliance. IPRA is a
section of NCC with more than 75 independent practitioners. Many IPRA
members are extremely active in NCC committees and in the leadership of
the chapter and have made substantial contributions to the success of
the chapter. Evans-Keenan has served in several chapter leadership
positions, including vice president, and this year, she was co-chair of
the Programs Committee.
In
addition to the presentation of these awards, Bryant reviewed the
highlights of 2005, and Schario, who is the incoming president, gave a
preview of her priorities for 2006. Judith T. Phair, APR, Fellow PRSA,
national president and CEO of PRSA, reviewed the year for PRSA on the
national level. She also congratulated NCC for receiving the national
PRSA Chapter Diversity Award, given to the chapter with the most
outstanding diversity program. Also, Tara Landis, APR, and Michelle
Hudgins, APR, were recognized for earning their professional
accreditation during the year.
The
National Capital Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America
represents the world’s leadership in the practice of public relations
and is the essential network for practitioners in the Washington
region. More than 1,200 members strong, the chapter provides
high-quality and timely professional development programs,
accreditation instruction, and networking opportunities. The chapter
promotes public relations education through the support of five
regional PRSSA chapters and a career academy for inner city high school
students. For more information about membership, leadership, or events,
please visit www.prsa-ncc.org. |
