Former Journal Messenger reporter named National Communicator of Achievement runnerup

Bonnie Atwood of Richmond, VA and a former reporter for The Journal Messenger newspaper in Manassas, was named runnerup for the 2016 Communicator of Achievement Award given by the National Federation of Press Women (NFPW). 

She was recognized during the organization’s annual conference, held this year in Wichita, Kansas.

NFPW is a nationwide organization of professional women and men pursuing career across the communications spectrum. The Communicator of Achievement Award is the highest honor bestowed by NFPW upon those members who have distinguished themselves within and beyond their field.

Atwood, who owns Tall Poppies Freelance Writing LLC,  writes about family, health and human rights. She is an experienced professional lobbyist for professional associations and nonprofits, and is a founding member of the Virginia Association of Professional Lobbyists.  She also is a longtime supporter of the cause of children with disabilities. 

In 2007, her proposal for a historical marker to recognize Black Hawk, leader of the Sauk Nation, was accepted, and the marker was erected at the former site of the Eagle Hotel in Richmond.

The immediate past president and a longtime board member of Virginia Professional Communicators (VPC), Atwood fought—and conquered leukemia while holding the presidency from 2012-14, leading the organization during one of its most productive terms.

She received the Communicator of Achievement Award at the state level from VPC this spring, making her eligible for the national competition.

The winner of the 2016 national Communicator of Achievement Award was Loretta Hall of Albuquerque, New Mexico, a freelance writer and author of seven nonfiction books.