We are thrilled and happy to announce that Marianne Wolf-Astrauskas’ work as co-editor of the anniversary edition of The Anthology of the Illinois Woman’s Press Association, recently won first place in the 74th Mate E. Palmer Communications Contest in Illinois for the category of “Books and Creative Writing.” 

This year she also earned an additional four 1st place and two 2nd place awards in other categories as well.

• 1st Place: Books and Creative Writing  – Short Stories – Single story
• 1st Place: Writing – Columns – General
• 1st Place: Writing  – Personality profile – 500 words or fewer
• 1st Place: Photography and Graphics – Single photograph
• 2nd Place: Writing – Columns – General
• 2nd Place: PR Materials  – Brochures – Nonprofit, government, or educational

The Illinois Woman’s Press Association (iwpa.org) celebrates its 130th anniversary this May. It was founded in 1885 by 47 determined women. IWPA is an organization of professionals whose objective is to maintain and improve standards of members in mass communications in Illinois. These founding members filled a need for communications and support between women writers. Today, we embrace members of all genders and generations. A record of IWPA’s legacy can be found on Wikipedia. IWPA is an affiliate of the National Federation of Press Women (nfpw.org)