International Women’s Media Foundation

When journalism and other work in the media became true professions, women were essentially barred from participating. Although women began working in the media prior to the 1890s, structural misogyny restricted them to certain areas of the profession. Over time, the barriers were lowered, and women’s participation increased. However, women have remained marginalized in media fields. The International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF) seeks to counteract this phenomenon by supporting and encouraging women in media. This entry discusses how the IWMF is organized and describes its programs and awards.

The IWMF is a nonprofit organization founded in 1990 in Washington, DC, that works toward the equal participation of women in the news media. The organization honors women journalists who have overcome hazards and oppression to report on ...