Washington Women in Journalism Awards: Recognizing the Journalists Who Ensure Every Voice Is Heard

/in , /by Gloria Story Dittus

Last Thursday, the courtyard at Larz Anderson House buzzed with a shared sense of purpose as hundreds of Washington leaders, including journalists, corporate and trade association leaders, heads of government affairs offices, and policymakers, joined Story Partners and the Washingtonian at the 13th Annual Washington Women in Journalism Awards. The evening was a reminder of why gathering matters and of the steadiness of journalists who show up and do the work, day after day.

“Journalists and a strong independent press are critical, regardless of what party you’re in,” said Gloria Story Dittus, chair of Story Partners. “If you care about the country and you care about what’s going on in the world, having access to good, timely, accurate information is so important.”

Four journalists took the stage, each recognized for the integrity and dedication behind their bylines:

  • The Hall of Fame Award: Judy Woodruff, senior correspondent, PBS NewsHour
  • Outstanding Journalist in Print: Missy Ryan, staff writer, The Atlantic
  • Outstanding Journalist in Broadcast Television: Shannon Bream, anchor, Fox News Sunday
  • Star to Watch: Priscilla Alvarez, correspondent, CNN

Throughout the evening, speakers emphasized that in an increasingly polarized political landscape, women journalists play a vital role by bringing unique perspectives, holding leaders accountable, and making sure every voice is heard.

Woodruff, who received the Hall of Fame Award for her pioneering career spanning more than 50 years, reflected on what has mattered most to her work. “I’ve interviewed all the presidents from Ford through Biden,” she said. “But over time, the interviews that have meant the most to me have been with ordinary people. I have loved the chances I’ve had to travel around the country, sit next to somebody, and talk to them about what’s on their mind.”

Alvarez, recognized for her fair and rigorous reporting, echoed that sentiment. “At its core, this job is about asking difficult questions, seeking truth even when it’s inconvenient, and giving a voice to stories that might otherwise go unheard,” she said.

Ryan, who has covered foreign policy for more than a decade, spoke about the gravity of her beat. “Having to report on the repercussions of American foreign policy and military activities overseas makes you take a hard look at the way we do business—and what the United States can do, for good or for ill,” she said.

Together, the honorees exemplified the invaluable role journalists play in ensuring Americans have access to reporting that is fair, balanced, and informative, especially at a time when audiences are overwhelmed with information.

“I think each of us has a real sense of privilege and responsibility to serve our viewers, readers, and listeners with truth,” Bream expressed. “That’s a very important thing in 2026—and always.”

Story Partners thanks the underwriters of this year’s Washington Women in Journalism Awards: National Retail Federation (NRF), Amazon, American Beverage Association (ABA), American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI), Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), Alibaba, American Petroleum Institute (API), Bayer, Consumer Brands Association (CBA), Delta, Johnson & Johnson, Microsoft, National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), NextEra, PepsiCo, PhRMA, Southern Company, and Toyota.

Why you should run into the fire when everyone is screaming to get out. (Sometimes).

/in /by Betsy Stephenson

Hot takes from Story Partners SVP Betsy Stephenson, crisis trainer, memoir author, and pet contest expert

Sometimes the best way through a crisis is to run into the heat. Our clients are operating in a very challenging news environment. It’s hard to know when to speak up and when to let the news of the day slide by. But if your company is burning in controversy, sometimes you can come out stronger if you resist the urge to hide from the flames. Companies that run into the controversy can demonstrate their guts, creativity, and quick thinking. This level of bold accountability can be admirable and attractive to customers and stakeholders. (A good example is Astronomer, which hired Gwyneth Paltrow for an ad after its CEO resigned in the wake of his Coldplay kiss-cam cameo.)

🔥 Whatever approach you take to crisis, there’s one that’s assured to fail, and that’s hiding from it.

Washington can be transactional, but that doesn’t mean you need to be. Sometimes you need to get in front of your audience in a non-transactional way. Take the Animal Health Institute’s Cutest Pets on Capitol Hill contest, which is intentionally non-political and feel-good. Since its inception 17 years ago, it’s become more than just a contest; it’s an annual event that helps our client bring to life its mission in a memorable, engaging, and fun way. In the process, Cutest Pets has become a reliable touchpoint between the animal health industry and Congress.

Podcasts are practice for everything. Story Partners regularly places clients on podcasts and I have been on dozens of podcasts for my book, and I’ve learned that they are good practice for every type of communication you might undertake. The ability to have extended, in-depth conversations with podcasters that are interested in my specific story helps me craft the soundbites I need for mainstream media interviews, live interviews (like with CNN’s Jake Tapper), and public speaking. Same could be said for testimony, lobbying, board meetings, or sales pitches. Podcasts also give you a chance to see how others take your words and turn them into a product for their audiences, which helps you learn what people are interested in and what they’re responding to.

Why should I care? This is the question I ask when I’m working on any project. It’s so simple, but sometimes clients can be so enthusiastic about their industry, product, or issue that they forget that people may not share their passion. Instead of trying to convince audiences, it’s more effective to find a way to make them care.

Read more about Betsy and her work in more than 30 years of communications experience here.

Betsy with Jake Tapper on CNN

Betsy with Jake Tapper on CNN

               

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.

Read more

It’s Easier than Ever to Understand the Other Side

/in , /by Gloria Story Dittus

As we spend time with our families this New Year after a contentious election cycle, I wanted to draw your attention to some research that shows we are not only divided, but that we are digging in – and I want to tell you why I think it’s easier than ever to dig out.

More than 7 in 10 adults said that this holiday season they hope to avoid discussing politics with family, according to a survey by the American Psychological Association. Even more alarming, nearly 2 in 5 adults said that “they are avoiding family they disagree with over the holidays.”

The survey found that younger adults were significantly more likely than those 65 or older to avoid being around those with whom they disagreed.

This discomfort with the other side is no surprise, given our media consumption habits have created echo chambers that cater to our individual perspectives and shield us from different viewpoints.

Earlier this year, New Yorker writer Kyle Chayka published a book called Filterworld: How Algorithms Flattened Culture, and, as he explained to NPR, while all our new digital apps and platforms feel like a shared experience, the digital algorithms of 2024 are “actually kind of atomizing our experiences because we can never tell what other people are seeing in their own feeds.”

As media becomes more curated for each viewer, we learn less about what people on the other side think—or even how to talk to them. It becomes easier to demonize or simply not understand their choices. Our algorithms feed us what we want to see and believe.

But here’s the promising wrinkle: In this election, the media landscape shifted, giving us more opportunities to understand the other side. To go beyond the algorithm and see what the other side sees is, in fact, probably free.

As the Wall Street Journal put it: “The traditional gatekeepers of political discourse—TV networks and newspapers—are shrinking in influence as Americans turn to many more outlets for information.” The newspaper reports that Trump “went on about 20 podcasts this year, including the comedian Theo Von’s show and Barstool Sports’ “Bussin’ With the Boys.”

If you want to listen to President-elect Donald Trump talk with Joe Rogan or—if you want to listen to Vice President Kamala Harris on “Call Her Daddy” – both podcasts can be listened to free online.

You can subvert the algorithm on YouTube and search for episodes of “The Megyn Kelly Show” or “Pod Save America.”

There’s more opportunity and reason than ever to understand all sides. All it takes is an investment of time.

By doing so, we can help break down barriers and help us communicate better – not just so we can show up at our family holiday dinner—but also be better, more effective communicators at work.

Americans’ News Consumptions and Trends in the 2024 Election Season

/in , /by Gloria Story Dittus

With Election Day less than a week away, Americans’ interest in election news coverage is at an all-time high. New research from Pew Research Center found that the majority of Americans – around seven-in-ten Americans – report following news about the presidential election closely, with more people tuning in as Election Day approaches. Read more