By Ashley Elkins

The Association for Women in Communications is an organization that promotes diversity within professional values.

Seven women founded WICI in 1909 at the University of Washington to promote women in the media. The program has expanded to 3,000 members who are encouraged to “give women a voice-to remember the past and shape the future” (womcom).

Women can remember the past by looking over the historical outline that includes many hardships that women in media have overcome. The outline includes women who were angered when they were prohibited from writing hard news stories, and women who were asked to leave the newsroom after men returned from war. There are many trials women have faced, but this Web site encourages women to share their stories from the past as well as give encouragement to the future.

Women can help shape the future in this organization by attending conferences like the AWC National Conference or adding their personal thoughts to the blog posting. There are awards like the International Matrix award that recognize women like Ann Curry for their achievements within media. Online membership is promoted and members are also encouraged to use the online directory for 24/7 accesses to networking with their peers. There are many opportunities for women to help shape the future.

WICI’s Web site is important because it promotes the understanding of the complex differences within this field. This helps younger generations realize the obstacles past women have overcome and the advantages they now have in their profession.