Date: June 30, 2009
Contact: Jessica Levinson, Communications Director
215-893-9000 x129

PHILADELPHIA, Pa.—Marielena Zuniga, staff writer for Soroptimist International of the Americas, an international volunteer organization of business and professional women headquartered in Philadelphia, is the recipient of the 14th Annual Jane Cunningham Croly Award for Excellence in Journalism Covering Issues of Concern to Women.

The General Federation of Women’s Clubs (GFWC), a volunteer service organization in Washington, DC, sponsors the award honoring a journalist whose writing demonstrates a concern for the rights and advancement of women in society.

Zuniga recently accepted the award and cash prize at the GFWC’s 118th Annual International Convention in Cleveland, Ohio.

Zuniga’s entry included three articles published in 2008 in Soroptimist’s Best for Women magazine. “Is There a Doctor in the House?” focused on the number of obstetricians leaving their practices and the role of rising malpractice insurance costs on this scarcity. “The Breastfeeding Battle” examined mothers’ ongoing struggles with breastfeeding and the professional work environment, while “Gender and the Media” probed the persistent sexual stereotypes in women’s representations in the media.

“Marielena Zuniga’s articles point directly to three significant issues facing women today,” said GFWC International President Rose M. Ditto, Ph.D. “GFWC is thrilled to recognize and support a journalist with such a keen understanding of topics that matter to our members and all women.”

Best for Women magazine, which has won many awards including the 2009 Communicator Award of Excellence, consistently spotlights complex issues affecting the world’s women. Zuniga’s articles are available on Soroptimist’s website at http://www.soroptimist.org/articles/articles_archive.html.

The Croly Award is named in honor of Jane Cunningham Croly, a pioneering journalist who devoted her life in helping women improve their lives and expand their rights. Past winners include Marianne Pearl, for her “Global Diaries”series in Glamour magazine; Lou Kilzer, reporter at the Rocky Mountain News in Denver; Mariko Thompson, reporter at the Los Angeles Daily News; and Rachel Zimmerman, reporter for the Wall Street Journal.

Zuniga is a journalist and writer of more than 30 years. She has been a staff writer for newspapers and magazines, and worked in public relations in corporate and nonprofit environments. Zuniga joined Soroptimist in August 2007 after freelancing for the award-winning magazine for more than 10 years.

Headquartered in Philadelphia, Pa., Soroptimist offers programs that improve the lives of women and girls through three distinct platforms: economic empowerment, elimination of violence, and gender equality. Its major program, the Soroptimist Women’s Opportunity Awards, provides cash grants for women seeking to improve their lives with the help of additional education and training. Each year, more than $1 million is disbursed to deserving women through this award-winning program. Soroptimist, a 501(c)(3) organization that relies on charitable donations to support its programs, also sponsors the Live Your Dream campaign in recognition of the power of women and their dreams. Visit the campaign’s online home at: LiveYourDreamCampaign.org. For more information on Soroptimist, visit Soroptimist.org.

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