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Advancing Women in Communications

We are dedicated to advancing women in communications by providing opportunities for professional development, leadership, and networking. Whether you’re here to learn, connect, or grow your career, WWPR offers the resources and support you need to thrive. Join or renew your membership today.

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Featured Event

Woman of the Year 2024

Celebrating Our 2024 Woman of the Year Finalists

We are excited to recognize our three amazing finalists—Aba Blankson, Debbi Jarvis, and Linda Roth—at the annual WWPR Woman of the Year Award ceremony on October 4. During this special event hosted at the Salamander Hotel in Washington, DC, Aba Blankson, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer for the NAACP was named the 2024 Woman of the Year!

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Upcoming Events

Apr 29
Save the Date: Crisis Communications Workshop Apr 29, 2025 Registration Coming Soon
Jun 11
2025 Emerging Leaders Awards Jun 11, 2025 601 New Jersey Avenue, Washington, DC
Jun 12
WWPR Executive Communicator Series Jun 12, 2025 Café Riggs
Oct 03
Save the Date: 2025 WWPR Woman of the Year Awards Oct 3, 2025 Salamander, Washington, DC

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Job Listings

Looking for your next career opportunity? We feature the latest openings in communications, public relations, marketing, and related fields. Whether you’re just starting out or advancing your career, our job board connects talented women communicators with top employers looking to hire.

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Committees

Maximize your WWPR membership by joining a committee. As a member, you’ll work alongside like-minded professionals to plan events, support pro bono clients, and contribute to key initiatives. It’s a great way to grow your skills, expand your network, and make a meaningful impact within our community. Get involved today!

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Member Benefits

Membership with WWPR offers unparalleled opportunities for professional growth, networking, and leadership development.

Professional Development Events

Our professional development events are designed for communicators at all career levels and offer valuable insights and skills to help you grow and succeed in the industry.

Networking and Relationship Building

Connect with like-minded professionals in the DC area through our networking events, designed to foster meaningful relationships and expand your industry connections.

Community Engagement

Through our community engagement initiatives, members have the opportunity to collaborate with pro bono clients, using their communication skills to make a meaningful impact while supporting important causes.

Leadership Positions

WWPR offers leadership opportunities that empower members to take on key roles, develop their leadership skills, and influence the direction of our programs and initiatives.

WWPR offers leadership opportunities that empower members to take on key roles, develop their leadership skills, and influence the direction of our programs and initiatives.
—Maria Papakonstantinou-Spero, Public Relations Director, CapitalHQ

Become a Member

Becoming a WWPR member gives you access to a wealth of professional development resources, networking opportunities, and leadership roles tailored to help you thrive in the communications industry in the Washington D.C. area. Join our vibrant community and unlock the full potential of your career while making a meaningful impact.

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WWPR Board Members

President

Colleen Gallagher

OnWrd & UpWrd

Vice President

Charmaine Riley

American Beverage

Past President

Chelsea Echavarria

CME Communications

Secretary

Lauren Tyler

Adfero

Operations

Vanessa French

Vanessa French Consulting

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Read the Latest Blog Posts

Silence is Not an Option

Feb 7, 2025

By: Kristal Farmer, WWPR Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Chair “The silence of the good people is as serious as the vitriolic words of the bad people.” –Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. There is something to be said about fear. Your heart races, adrenaline surges, and your instincts sharpen—fight or flight. But what happens when it’s […]

President’s Letter: Building on a Legacy of Leadership in 2025

Jan 27, 2025

Dear WWPR Community, Happy New Year! (Can we still say that the last week of January?!) It’s an honor to kick off 2025 as your President, especially during this milestone year as we celebrate 45 years of Washington Women in Public Relations. For over four decades, WWPR has been a cornerstone for female communicators in […]

Washington Women in Public Relations Inducts 2025 Board of Directors

Jan 23, 2025

For 45 years, the organization has provided unique networking and professional development opportunities for female communicators in D.C. WASHINGTON, D.C. (January 23, 2025) – Washington Women in Public Relations (WWPR), a leading membership group for female communications professionals in Washington D.C., today announced its 2025 Board of Directors. The newly elected Board is as follows: […]

Washington Women in Public Relations Announces 2024 Woman of The Year Winner

Nov 4, 2024

Washington, D.C., Oct. 7, 2024 – On Friday, October 4, 2024, Washington Women in Public Relations (WWPR) recognized Aba Blankson, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer for the NAACP as its 2024 Woman of the Year. Established in 1990, the Woman of the Year program recognizes individuals who have raised the bar in the communications field and raised the […]

Ethical AI and Writing: Can the Two Co-Exist?

Sep 23, 2024

By LeAnne DeFrancesco, vice president at Vanguard Communications If you make a living from writing, your hackles have likely been up for a while about artificial intelligence (AI)–not the customer service chatbots on a website “Can I help you find what you’re looking for?” or even the expanding search capabilities. I’m talking about generative AI […]

Ethical AI: Policy Development Tips for PR Professionals

Aug 14, 2024

by Allison Gross, associate director, Vanguard Communications As ChatGPT and other artificial intelligence (AI) tools emerge into our workplace, many in our firms are equal parts giddy and guarded about what it means for our short-term tasks and our long-term jobs. And the truth is, the evolution is happening so quickly that getting your head […]

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