Two WPCI members were honored with special awards during the annual banquet April 26 in Indianapolis.
Former WPCI president Viv Sade received the Communicator of Achievement award and will compete with other COAs from affiliates around the nation at the National Federation of Press Women conference in Colorado in September.
WPCI contest director Kassie Ritman received the Kate Milner Rabb award for service to the club.
Sade, of Churubusco, has been a member of WPCI since 1996 and just finished her third term as president. During her more than 35-year career in the publishing industry – both print and digital – Sade was fearless when it came to reporting news that some local officials wished to suppress, said current president Becky Killian.
“She is an ardent supporter of First Amendment rights, Open Door laws, and free and fair elections. Her stories made even the complex inner workings of local government understandable,:” she said.
Sade has received more than 200 journalism awards, including the Hoosier State Press Association’s “Story of the Year,” which recognized her coverage of the funeral of Johnny Krieger, a beloved member of the Churubusco community who had Down’s Syndrome.
After the terrorist attacks on New York City’s Twin Towers on Sept. 11, 2001, Sade localized the story by contacting former Churubusco residents who were living in New York. While working for the Journal Gazette, she outed a veteran who had exaggerated aspects of his service as a money-making scheme.
Although Sade officially retired from journalism in June 2016, she continues to work part-time as a writer, editor and proofreader. She authors three corporate newsletters, chairs the Whitley County Democratic Party, works as a substitute teacher for Smith-Green Community Schools, and is a member of the Churubusco Plan Commission.
Since her retirement, she has continued to win awards for her freelance writing.
“Viv has survived, and thrived, in a tough industry. Through it all, she maintained her focus on serving her readers, her industry, and her community,” said Killian. “I’m delighted that WPCI can recognize her hard work. She is a formidable contender for the National Federation of Press Women’s COA.”
Ritman was honored for her directing of the annual contest and recruitment of special speakers, among other efforts.
Ritman volunteered to serve as the professional contest director, which is one of the Press Club’s most challenging and important positions, Killian said. Ritman also suggested and recruited Jane Friedman as the speaker during the March educational outreach workshop, which Ritman hosted at her historic house in Batesville.
During the awards banquet, Ritman was sworn-in as the club’s secretary, a position she volunteered to fill when she learned it was vacant.
“Kassie has proven herself as a valuable member of WPCI. I look forward to serving with her and seeing what great ideas she has to offer the club,” Killian said.
Photo: Viv Sade (center) was named Communicator of Achievement and Kassie Ritman (right) won the Kate Milner Rabb award. President Becky Killian presented the awards. (Pictured at a previous event.)
