Patricia M. 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 its recent 2025 communications contest.

Szpekowski was awarded 9 recognitions for all 9 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 entries, which have proceeded to the NFPW for national judging, include the stories “The Behr Den-A Rockford Classic Continues” - Northwest Quarterly Magazine; and “Marketing - Simple Client Engagement” - Northwest Indiana Business Magazine; plus publication editing of “Hometown Holiday Happenings” - Shaw Media.

Other recognitions were: second place for “Local Wine Boutiques”, “A Romantic Staycation”,

and “The Golden Years” - Kane County Magazine; “Financial Planning - Early Fiscal Lessons” - Northwest Indiana Business Magazine; third place for “Couple Gives to Lahaina, Hawaii Fire Victims” and honorable mention for “Precious Nativities” - The Observer, Catholic Diocese of Rockford.

“It is an honor to receive recognition for my work that highlights a very wide range of topics,”

Szpekowski said. “Each of these publications reaches a very strong and loyal readership throughout Northern Illinois, the Fox Valley area, and Northwest Indiana. Writing stories about successful businesses gives me the opportunity to showcase their amazing accomplishments.”

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.