Szpekowski receives writing honors

Pat Szpekowski, APR, president of PR Strategies & Communications, Inc./PmS advertising, inc. in Elgin, has received recognition from the Illinois Woman’s Press Association (IWPA), an affiliate of the National Federation of Press Women (NFPW), in their recent 2024 communications contests.

Szpekowski received five recognitions for all five stories submitted for judging to the Illinois Woman’s Press Association, of which she has been a member of both organizations since 1995.

The first place stories, which have proceeded to the NFPW for national judging, include “A New Initiative at Marmion Academy to Promote Healing, Moving Forward” - Observer, weekly newspaper of the Catholic Diocese of Rockford; and “Take Time for Self Care” - Kane County Magazine.

Other recognitions were: second place for “Scenic Art Loop in Galena” - Northwest Quarterly Magazine; third place for “Legacy of Daughters” - Northwest Indiana Business Magazine; and honorable mention for “Chicago Neighborhood POPS” - Air Chicago Magazine.

“It is an honor to receive recognition for my work that highlights a very wide range of topics,” Szpekowski said. “Each of these publications reach a strong and loyal readership throughout Northern Illinois, the City of Chicago’s International Airports, the Fox Valley area, and Northwest Indiana.”

The IWPA contest is named for Mate E. Palmer, the ninth IWPA president, who served from 1907 to 1909. Upon her death in 1939, the IWPA established a writing contest in her memory.

IWPA continues to hold a firm place in the history of women communicators in Illinois. It is dedicated to professional excellence and the highest ethical standards in the communications field, and to the rights and responsibilities of the First Amendment.

PR Strategies & Communications, Inc./PmS advertising, inc., a full service advertising agency and public relations firm, was founded in 1987 by Szpekowski. She wears two hats as an award-winning accredited public relations APR professional and freelance journalist.

For more information on how Szpekowski can communicate news for businesses and nonprofits, visit the firm’s website at prstrategies.net.