Wilbur Awards

Two RNA members were recently honored for their work covering religious issues in the 2009 Wilbur Awards, hosted by the Religion Communicators Council (RCC).

Chicago Tribune‘s Manya Brachear and Margaret Ramirez (along with colleague Christi Parsons) took the award for Newspapers (Top 15 Markets) for their story, “Trial, Triumph and Transition at Chicago’s Trinity.”

Brachear also won the Web-based communicators category for her blog, “The Seeker: A personal and professional quest for truth.”

The Wilbur Awards recognize the work of individuals in the secular media who aspire to communicate about religious issues, values and themes with the utmost of professionalism, fairness and honesty.

DeRose-Hinkhouse Awards

RCC also hosts the DeRose-Hinkhouse Memorial Awards for communicators in religious media and public relations.

Associate RNA member Robin Galiano-Russell, of the United Methodist Reporter (UMR), was recevied four awards for her work, including: first place in the national newspaper category; an award of excellence for a single issue of the UMR; an award of excellence for her story, “Church’s anti-gay policies called ‘sinful’”; and an award of excellence for her series, “Becoming a Bishop.”

Other RNA winners in this contest included:

Autumn Black, American Bible Society, award of excellence for press kits

Vineet Chander, ISKON Communication, award of merit for the publication, “Who Is Krishna?”

The DeRose-Hinkhouse Memorial Awards are presented annually to members of the RCC who demonstrate excellence in religion communications and public relations. The awards are named to honor the late Victor DeRose and the late Paul M. Hinkhouse, leading lithographers in New York City and longtime friends of the RCC.

Congratulations to the winners!