Association for Women in Communications

Theta Sigma Phi, an honorary society for journalism, was established in 1909 at the University of Washington.^[1][3][4] By 1950, the group had grown to 47 campus chapters and 29 alumnae groups. In 1972, Theta Sigma Phi was renamed to Women in Communications, Inc. (WICI).^[1][3] WICI was dissolved in 1996.

The Association for Women in Communications was formed in 1997 as a new nonprofit organization that would continue the legacy of WICI.^{[1][2][3][5][6]} The Association for Women in Communication was overseen by a new board and was managed by Club Management Services in Springfield, Missouri. AWC ceased operations at the national level in 2023.^[7][8] Several of its chapters continued to operated as a local organization.^[7][8]

The society's publication was Communiqué, an electronic newsletter. It presented the Clarion Award,^[9][10] the Headliner Award,^[11] and The Matrix Awards.^[12][13] The latter two were originally initiated by Theta Sigma Phi.^[11][12]

The nonprofit AWC Matrix Foundation was established in 1998 as an educational affiliate. The AWC Matrix Foundation promoted the advancement of women in the communications profession by providing funds for education, research, and publications. The foundation's three initiatives were:

• Professional Certification Program – recognized excellence in all areas of communications; provided an opportunity to demonstrate communication and management skills and enhance employment/client potential.
• Edith Wortman First Amendment Award – honored professional communicators for their efforts relating to First Amendment issues.
• Barbara Erickson Scholarship Fund – allowed college students to attend the AWC National Professional Conference.

Following are the chapters of the Association for Women in Communication, with active chapters indicated in bold and inactive chapters in italics.^[14]