The Presidential Commission on the Status of Women established the annual award for outstanding writing on women's issues at NIU April 1997. In October 2000 the award was named for Martha Cooper an alum of the NIU Journalism department. The purpose of the award is to recognize journalistic effort contributing to greater awareness of women's issues on campus.
The award is open to all NIU students and alumni who have written and published about women's issues at NIU during the time frame of March 1 of the prior year to present. Eligible entries include news coverage and/or commentary, individual articles or a series of articles on a topic(s) related to NIU women. Entries may have been published in campus publications such as Northern Star and Lifeline: or in other newspapers such as Daily Chronicle, Midweek, and Chicago Tribune. Entries are judged by the quality of writing, originality of content, and the significance of coverage by a selection committee comprised of professionals.
Applications (.doc file) and requirements are made available at the following campus offices:
The recipient is presented with a $500.00 monetary award and a plaque at the Journalism Awards Banquet in April. In addition, the award winner's name is inscribed on the PCSW Journalism Award plaque which is on permanent display at the Northern Star.