Oct. 13 – 15, 2023

Columbia College Chicago

A CAMP Like No Other

At the Journalism & Women Symposium’s 2023 Conference and Mentoring Program (CAMP), you can expect to find inspiring speakers; opportunities to learn from diverse women across the journalism ecosystem; networking and social time to spark meaningful conversations, make friends at all career stages, support each other and celebrate what we do as journalists, as women and as human beings.

For the first time, CAMP will be held in an urban setting hosted by a journalism college. Chicago’s public transportation system is world-renowned, making it easier and more affordable for participants to make their way to the Loop. Once downtown, a number of options for lodging offer a wide variety of price points.

This year’s programming highlights the many ways our work and worlds interact. This allows us to amplify one another’s strengths and find exciting new ways to support and connect with one another. In this way, we all play an important role in fostering collaboration, mentorship and innovation — hallmarks of JAWS and part of what sets us apart.

Registration

Regular rates are in effect until Sept. 30!

Registration includes participation in all CAMP sessions, as well as the following meals:

Friday welcome reception at Navy Pier
Saturday basic breakfast + lunch + light reception + dinner at Columbia College
Sunday basic breakfast + lunch at Columbia College

Active Jaws Member Registration CAMP Registration + ANNUAL JAWS Membership dues Non-Member registration Student registration

Confirmed Plenaries & Keynotes

Feminism & Journalism: The Intersectional Journey Continues

This kick-off conversation connects groundbreaking, feminism-embracing journalists across generations and disciplines.

Moderator: Karen Hawkins, Story Editor at The 19th*; Founder, Rebellious Magazine for Women and the Feminist Media Foundation

Panelists: Kathy Spillar, Executive Editor of Ms. & Executive Director of Feminist Majority Foundation; and Michelle Goodwin, Executive Producer of Ms. Studios, host of On the Issues with Michelle Goodwin, Linda D. & Timothy J. O’Neill Professor of Constitutional Law and Global Health Policy at Georgetown University

Introduction by Kathy Bonk, Strategic Communications Consultant

Local Journalism Matters

This plenary panel illuminates varied paths toward the future of journalism’s heavy hitter: local news.

Moderator: Deborah Douglas, Senior Lecturer and Director of Midwest Solutions Journalism Hub, Northwestern University; Author, Moon U.S. Civil Rights Trail

Panelists: Bettina Chang, Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director, Chicago Programs at City Bureau; Lottie Joiner, Assistant Managing Editor at Verite News in New Orleans; and Angilee Shah, CEO and Editor-in-Chief of Charlottesville Tomorrow

Introduction by Daniel Ash, President of the Field Foundation of Illinois

Thank you to The Field Foundation for supporting this session!

Queens of Black Media: Lessons from Women Continuing Family Legacies

A conversation between: Michelle Duster, Author, public historian; Melody Spann Cooper, Chair and CEO, Midway Broadcasting Corp.; and Myiti Sengstacke-Rice, Publisher and Founder of Bronzeville Life, President and CEO of the Chicago Defender Charities.

Moderator: Sheila Solomon, Chair and co-founder of Journalism Funding Partners

Kathy Im in Conversation with Jenn Kho

What is the future of journalism and where to women, and our respective communities, fit into the picture?

Join the MacArthur Foundation’s Director of Journalism and Media, Kathy Im, and JAWS’ Board President and Chicago Sun-Times’ Managing Editor Jennifer Kho for a wide-ranging conversation about philanthropy’s role in shaping – and re-shaping – the world of journalism and the importance of input and expertise from women and nonbinary journalists today and tomorrow.

Fran Lewine Interview: Our Great Trailblazers

This annual conversation honors legendary JAWS’ members and connects us across our experiences as we focus on what’s possible when we support one another.

Featuring Erin Allen, Digital Anchor, WBEZ Chicago, in conversation with Linda Deutsch, AP Special Correspondent (retired), and Edie Lederer, Chief United Nations Correspondent, Associated Press.

Woman’s Work: Of Motherhood and a Pulitzer

A conversation between the Los Angeles Times’ Community Engagement Editor Anh Do and Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist Christina House.

Venue

JAWS CAMP is on campus, with the Communications Department at Columbia College hosting JAWS at the historic city landmark The Ludington Building at 1104 S. Wabash Ave. in the South Loop neighborhood in downtown Chicago.

Lodging

There is no official headquarters hotel for the Chicago JAWS CAMP.

There are many hotels near Columbia College, where the CAMP sessions will be held on Friday afternoon, Saturday and Sunday, and Navy Pier, where the Friday welcome reception will be held at the offices of Chicago Public Media — the home to the Chicago Sun-Times and WBEZ.

We encourage conference attendees to do your own research in deciding where to stay and finding out about cancellation fees, extra costs for cots or room sharing, etc.

To get started … Chicago streets run on a grid system. Here are your event coordinates:

NAVY PIER, Chicago Public Media: 848 E. Grand Ave. That’s 800 east and 500 north. This is near the Michigan Avenue shopping area.

COLUMBIA COLLEGE, 1104 S. Wabash Ave. That’s 50 east and 1100 south. This is in the East Loop.

SOME SUGGESTED PLACES TO STAY NEAR COLUMBIA COLLEGE AND NAVY PIER:

J. Ira and Nicki Harris Family Hostel, 24 E. Ida B. Wells Dr. This hostel, close to Columbia, offers beds in dorm rooms and rooms. Note: if you join Hostelling International USA, you can get a discount.
Best Western Grant Park Hotel, 1100 S. Michigan Ave. This hotel is adjacent to Columbia College. Call 312-922-2900 and ask for the Columbia College rate – $179 per night for single/double, plus 17.4% tax.
Congress Plaza, 520 S. Michigan Ave. This hotel, across the street from Grant Park, is convenient and affordable — easily accessible to Columbia, Navy Pier and the Loop. Book with this link to receive the discounted rate of $189 per night single/double, plus 17.4% tax. Rooms with Lake Michigan views may cost more.
Royal Sonesta Chicago Downtown, 71 E. Wacker Dr. This hotel is about 1.5 miles from Columbia College, but closer to Navy Pier. Book with this link to receive the discounted rate of $229 per night single/double, plus 17.4% tax.
The Blackstone, 636 S. Michigan Ave. This hotel is also positioned between Columbia and Navy Pier and across from Grant Park. Rooms as of mid-June were about $259 single, $289 double, plus 17.4% tax. Book online or call.

Map it!

Click below for interactive map.

Transportation

For those traveling to Chicago for CAMP, the two major airports are O’Hare International Airport (ORD) and Midway International Airport (MDW).

Check out Choose Chicago’s Getting Around Chicago guide for more information on accessibility, the street system, public transit, including the ‘L’ trains and buses, commuter trains, taxis, rideshares, water taxis, shuttles, biking, and driving.

Sponsorship

We couldn’t hold CAMP without support from sponsors!

If you are interested in 2023 sponsorship, please view the Sponsorship Prospectus for sponsorship levels, a la carte options and 2022 sponsors.

Contact Tanya Gazdik via email () or phone (313-505-0779) for more information. We are glad to discuss custom packages and opportunities.

CAMP Chairs

CAMP Contact

Have a question or need support? Email and we’d be happy to help!

Books & Browse

Four amazing and critically acclaimed nonfiction authors with new books earning rave reviews nationally will dazzle the audience as panelists at the annual Books & Browse event at CAMP this year on Saturday, October 14 5:30-7 p.m. at Columbia College, Chicago. Read about the authors and their books here.

About this year’s CAMP logo

JAWS 2023 CAMP logo highlights event’s intersections

By Tanya Gazdik
CAMP Co-Chair

Designed by a new JAWS member and student journalist, the 2023 CAMP logo not only represents our host city, Chicago, it also offers a colorful nod to the many powerful intersections we’ll explore Oct. 13-15.

Logo designer and student journalist Madison Echlin is graduating this semester from Michigan State University with a bachelor’s degree in anthropology and two minors, one in leadership of organizations and the other in graphic design.

CAMP Co-Chairs are excited to showcase Echlin’s talents via her interpretation
of the theme, “JAWS at the Intersections.”

“This year, we’re celebrating a new kind of CAMP in the city,” said CAMP Co-
Chair and longtime JAWdess Elissa Yancey. “We believe that highlighting the
many ways our work and worlds intersect allows us to amplify one another’s
strengths and find exciting new ways to support and connect with one another.
By doing this, we can play an important role in fostering collaboration, mentorship
and innovation–hallmarks of JAWS and part of what makes our organization
distinctive in the journalism ecosystem.”

Echlin, who incorporated iconic Chicago landmarks in her design, says she has
always had a strong passion for journalism. She joined the staff of The State
News, MSU’s fully independent student media organization, as a creative
designer.

“My dream job would be marketing design for a non-profit, creating things like
logos, pamphlets, ads, print issues, merch, and so on — a lot like what I have
been doing at The State News,” said Echlin, who is actively seeking her first
professional job. She hopes the strong JAWS network, in true JAWS fashion, can
support her on her journey. Have ideas or advice? You can reach her
at .

Stay tuned for keynote speaker announcements and so much more in the weeks
to come! For now, thanks to our Chicago Host Committee members and all those
who submitted programming ideas. We’ll be reaching out to you before the end of
this month!

Why Attend CAMP