Nomination Procedures
Nominations for Association for Women Journalists Chicago Hall of Fame inductees or for the AWJ Distinguished Service Award may be made at any time during the year. All nominations received and gathered will be retained for future consideration for a period of three years, at which time any nominees that failed to be inducted must be renominated for future consideration.

Nominations must be submitted by email, online submission form or by hand to the committee chair of the Hall of Fame Committee to prompt the selection process.

Criteria for Nomination and Selection
The Association for Women Journalists Chicago Hall of Fame was created to recognize women whose notable contributions to the field of journalism have earned them a place in Chicago journalism history.

Individuals with a lifetime body of ethical or innovative journalistic achievements may be nominated for the AWJ Hall of Fame. Individuals may be nominated for the Distinguished Service Award at any time in her career, and is awarded for specific contributions to Chicago Women’s Journalism such as a specific series, project or other effort.

A nomination letter or email should describe the nominee’s notable achievements, and how the nominee furthers the mission or fits the spirit of AWJ.

Other nomination materials should include, but are not limited to: nominee’s name, nominee’s connection and contributions to Chicago journalism, nominee’s past and/or current employment, highlights of nominee’s professional career, including awards received, reproductions of examples or lists of her work, biographical materials and photographs. Nomination material should also note whether the nominee is living or deceased, and if deceased, the approximate date of death. Nomination materials should also include the nominator’s name and contact information.

The Hall of Fame Committee strongly recommends at least two seconding letters to accompany the original nomination material.

The Hall of Fame Committee meets regularly to identify and select finalists. Formal
inductions will be made during either the Association for Women Journalists Chicago’s annual membership picnic or annual meeting. Awards will be presented to inductee or to a representative who will accept the award on the inductee’s behalf.

Guidelines for nomination
Nominees can be selected from the entire period of Chicago journalism history.
Nominees should have a significant connection to Chicago and have been active in Chicago journalism for several years.

For these purposes, this shall include women who have made significant contributions including: the direction of editorial policy or the editing of or preparation of news and editorial content of newspapers, magazines, press or syndication services, professional or business publications, radio or television; or journalism education as defined.

Questions regarding nominations may be directed to the Hall of Fame Committee or Association for Women Journalists Chicago board.

The physical award is a type of certificate, plaque or trophy, and its format may vary from year to year. Information about each recipient will also live online.