JAWS advances the professional empowerment and personal growth of women in journalism and advocates for more inclusive coverage of the diverse experiences and cultures that comprise our society. By advancing women in journalism, we transform the world.
Add your name to our roster of incredible women and non-binary people working across the journalism and information ecosystem by becoming a member today. (Need more reasons to join? Scroll down further on this page for five reasons to join!)
A growing network of JAWS women who can offer motivation, support and ideas, not to mention the all-important comic relief and camaraderie; we have regional groups and captains hosting events in different hubs across the country.
Access to the JAWS private member site and private Facebook group, enabling you to communicate with JAWS members around the country and share ideas, experiences, and news affecting women that you may not see reported elsewhere.
We are constantly bringing our members valuable benefits and discount opportunities offered by our strategic partners.
Who Can Join JAWS
All memberships are subject to board approval. There are two categories of membership: voting and associate. The membership criteria are as follows:
Voting membership is open to:
Journalists who are employed in digital news; broadcast, cable or online TV; radio or podcasts; newspapers; news services or syndicates; magazines; and social platforms that disseminate news and information.
Journalists whose primary occupation is freelancing in the fields listed above.
Journalism educators and administrators.
People whose primary occupation is research or publishing in the field of journalism.
People employed by organizations dedicated to serving journalists.
Recent graduates (within the last 12 months) who are working in journalism are eligible for a reduced membership rate of $50 a year for the first two years after they leave school. Emerging professionals have voting privileges.
Associate members are entitled to all the privileges of membership except voting and pay the same dues and fees. The following people may join:
Students* of journalism and those active in campus media at the college level or above
Former journalists with at least three years of experience and who embrace or further the mission of Journalism and Women Symposium
Freelance journalists who meet all of the following criteria:
Currently spend less than 50 percent of their time working for independent news organizations
Who do not pitch stories on behalf of clients to other journalists
Have no media relations role
Who embrace or further the mission of Journalism and Women Symposium.
*For purposes of this membership category, a student is defined as someone currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program.
How to Join or Renew:
To join online, select the appropriate membership option from the buttons further up on this page.
To join or give a gift by check, please make your check payable to Journalism & Women Symposium and mail to:
Journalism and Women Symposium
2885 Sanford Ave. SW, #29226,
Grandville, MI 49418-1342