12th Annual Washington Women in Journalism Awards Celebrates Four Trailblazing Reporters

/in , , /by Robert Philips

To help kick off White House Correspondents’ Weekend, Story Partners co-hosted the 12th Annual Washington Women in Journalism Awards — a tradition I’m incredibly proud to watch grow each year.

When I started this event over a decade ago, the goal was to shine a spotlight on the women journalists who are shaping how we understand politics, policy, and the world around us. In a field that’s still working toward gender equity, taking time to recognize their work — and their impact — is more important than ever.

Last week, we honored four truly exceptional journalists whose reporting not only informs the public but often drives the national conversation. This year’s honorees were:

  • Elisabeth Bumiller, Writer-at-Large, New York Times with the Hall of Fame Achievement Award

  • Margaret Brennan, Face the Nation moderator, CBS News as Outstanding Journalist in Broadcast Television

  • Vivian Salama, National Politics Reporter, The Wall Street Journal as Outstanding Journalist in Print

  • Francesca Chambers, White House Correspondent, USA Today as a Star to Watch

Elisabeth, Margaret, Vivian, and Francesca represent the very best of journalism in Washington. They’ve each set a lasting standard for future generations, and their work is a powerful reminder of why representation matters — and how a diverse press corps leads to stronger, more nuanced storytelling.

During the evening celebration, each honoree reflected on their journeys, the state of the industry, and the importance of mentorship and opportunity for women in media.

WSJ’s Vivian Salama spoke about covering refugee crises, explaining that in war zones, her male colleagues often struggled to engage with women in conservative Muslim communities. As the only woman on the crew, Salama was welcomed into women’s tents, where she heard detailed and emotional stories about their hardships. “Obviously, the world needs journalism, but newsrooms need women, and that’s something we really need to recognize,” she said. “It’s not just about having female reporters. Newsrooms need female managers to help us grow.”

CBS’s Margaret Brennan spotlighted her team, noting, “The majority of our senior leadership team are women, led by executive producer Mary Hager. And we’re number one on Sunday mornings. So, correlation, causation, I don’t know.” She reflected on the responsibility of journalists today, adding, “This job does require sharing at times very uncomfortable truths at a moment when a lot of Americans really want to avoid them because the facts are so overwhelming.”

USA Today’s Francesca Chambers reflected on her career path, sharing, “People often ask me what led me to this career and why I wanted to cover the White House in particular, and the answer is I truly believe in the mission of journalism to inform and empower the public.” She continued, “We are so fortunate as journalists to have the opportunity to write the first draft of history,” and expressed gratitude for the trust placed in her to question U.S. presidents, foreign leaders, lawmakers, and officials.

The New York Times’ Elisabeth Bumiller recalled how, when she moved to Washington during George W. Bush’s early presidency, a NYC Council member questioned her decision. “People were telling me he was going to be this inconsequential president… And then, of course, September 11th happened on my second day on the beat.” She noted she never imagined becoming Washington Bureau Chief, calling it “one of the great privileges of my life.” Reflecting on her return to reporting after 12 years as an editor, she added, “I’m very committed to journalism, and I think this is one of the most important jobs you can have right now.”

A heartfelt thank you to my co-host, Washingtonian CEO Cathy Merrill, and to all of our generous sponsors who helped make the evening possible: Aflac, Alibaba, Amazon, American Beverage Association, American Council of Life Insurers, American Petroleum Institute, Association of Equipment Manufacturers, Consumer Brands Association, Delta, Johnson & Johnson, Microsoft, National Association of Manufacturers, National Retail Federation, PhRMA, Southern Company, Toyota, U.S. Chamber of Commerce.