A record number of women columnists and bloggers have joined the National Society of Newspaper Columnists (NSNC) this year. This is great news considering a study from Media Matters For America found that women make up only 38 percent of newsroom staff. Women in journalism matter. When women and men equally report and share their views of what’s going on in the world, as reporters and as columnists, our community receives a more rounded view.
The NSNC is proud to announce a new networking partnership with the Journalism and Women Symposium, otherwise known as JAWS, beginning September 15, 2016.
JAWS’ mission is to support “the professional empowerment and personal growth of women in journalism” and to work “toward a more accurate portrayal of the whole society.” What started as a small group of female journalists in the 1980s has grown into JAWS, a thriving nonprofit organization of more than 800 female journalists.
Their early, modestly attended fall gatherings, affectionately referred to as “camp,” grew into CAMP (“Conference and Mentoring Project” ), a well-attended three-day 
annual event.
“NSNC has always believed that when you reach out to friends, there is strength in numbers,” says Lisa Smith Molinari, President of NSNC.
The NSNC partnered with NLGJA, the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association, in May, and has had a marketing partnership with EBWW, the Erma Bombeck Writers’ Workshop, since 2005. Both groups send representatives to attend the NSNC’s annual conferences and collaborate on projects throughout the year. The NSNC feels its relationship with JAWS will be similarly beneficial.
“A networking partnership with JAWS, much like our great relationships with the NLGJA and EBWW, will allow us to exchange ideas and connect with new audiences,” says Molinari.
JAWS President Sandra Fish agreed. “JAWS is a journalism-focused organization, but many of our members are columnists or op-ed writers,” say Fish. “This will be a mutually beneficial partnership that helps both organizations extend our reach.”
In the coming months, the NSNC and JAWS will cross-promote the other organization’s major events on their respective websites, email newsletters and social media portals.
