Association for Women in Communications Honors Member, Recognizes Businesses That Champion Professional Advancement of Women.

Business Editors

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 30, 2001

The Association for Women in Communications (AWC), Twin Cities Chapter, held its annual Crystal Clarion Awards banquet on Thursday, May 24, at The Woman's Club of Minneapolis. The event honored the recipients of AWC's 2001 Headliner Award, given to an outstanding chapter member, and Vanguard Award, recognizing businesses providing work environments that foster the advancement of women to positions of equity. For almost 30 years, the Crystal Clarion competition has been the hallmark of AWC's efforts to promote excellence within the communications industry and recognize outstanding professional accomplishments.

Annette Ruzicka, a corporate communications manager, received the 2001 Headliner Award. AWC's highest honor, the award is bestowed upon an outstanding member for strong leadership and professional accomplishments. General Mills, Inc. and TechArch Consulting Group were selected as the recipients of the 2001 Vanguard award, which recognizes businesses with work environments that foster the equitable advancement of women.

Annette Ruzicka has been an AWC member since 1984, and her chapter contributions include eight years on the board of directors. Providing council and leadership, she served as president of the board of directors of the Twin Cities chapter during the 1992-93 program year, and has participated on a variety of committees. In addition to being the recipient of two Crystal Clarion Awards in 1999, Ruzicka has benefited from her involvement with AWC in a number of ways. "AWC has helped me professionally through networking, educational programs, and committee involvement, but also it has been about friendships and developing relationships," she said.

General Mills, Inc. (large company category) and TechArch Consulting Group (small company category) were selected as 2001 Vanguard Award recipients based on their work/life programs and policies supporting both women's professional advancement and their families.

General Mills, Inc. is committed at all levels to the recruitment, development and advancement of women, and has integrated those beliefs into its corporate culture. With their exemplary programs based on the needs of working women, General Mills has been a pioneer in defining business expectations for today's female employees. Women make up 46 percent of the General Mills employee base, hold 30 percent of the officer and director positions, and make up 23 percent of the board of directors.

TechArch, founded and run by a woman, offers non-traditional work options including working from home. Part-time schedules are available providing full medical and life insurance benefits to employees working 20 or more hours per week. Female employees make up 30 percent of the workforce and women hold half of the internal leadership positions.

Founded in 1909, The Association for Women in Communications is one of the nation's largest communications organizations with more than 7,000 members. Disciplines represented within the association include: print and broadcast journalism, web design, public relations, advertising, graphic design, corporate communications, publishing, TV/radio, film, technical writing, multi-media design and photography. The organization recognizes distinguished professional achievements, promotes leadership and high professional communications standards, and protects First Amendment rights and responsibilities of communicators. The Twin Cities Chapter's mission is to promote excellence across all communications fields by developing the potential of all women communicators.

For more information please contact Sarah Schaffer, Vice-President-awards, Association for Women in Communications, [phone].