Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland to address Journalism & Women Symposium at October annual conference

The Journalism and Women Symposium (JAWS) is honored to announce Deb Haaland, U.S. Secretary of the Interior, as its inaugural Big Idea Speaker at its annual conference in October. Secretary Haaland is the first Native American to serve as a cabinet member. Her speech will be one of three keynotes featured at the group’s annual gathering of women journalists – including anyone who self-identifies as a woman, or as a non-binary, gender-nonconforming or agender person – and allies, also known as CAMP (Conference and Mentoring Project). The theme of this year’s gathering, which will be held Oct. 13-15 at Columbia College in Chicago, is “JAWS at the Intersections.”

Secretary Haaland’s keynote on Sunday, Oct. 15, caps off a weekend of learning and connection that includes speakers and representatives from news and community engagement organizations, as well as sessions led and organized by student journalists. “This year’s CAMP will be an amazing opportunity for women and gender-nonconforming people in the journalism ecosystem to learn from each other and support each other, personally and professionally, to transform our industry and our world,” said Jennifer Kho, JAWS board president and executive editor of the Chicago Sun-Times. “I can’t wait to show off my city and connect with others – leaders, pioneers, students and emerging journalists – who support diversifying and improving journalism.”

Organized by the JAWS Legacy Fund, the Big Ideas Speaker project provides the opportunity for journalists to hear from exceptional women leaders. “We are thrilled to welcome Secretary Haaland as a keynote speaker. Her groundbreaking leadership both in and outside government demonstrates the power individuals can have to make transformational change,” said Jane P. Marshall, Legacy Fund trustee.  

Full list of CAMP keynotes:

• Saturday, Oct. 14: Lunch Keynote – Queens of Black Media: Lessons from Women Continuing Family Legacies, a conversation between Michelle Duster, Melody Spann Cooper and Myiti Sengstacke-Rice moderated by Sheila Solomon

• Saturday, Oct. 14: Dinner Keynote – MacArthur Foundation’s Director of Journalism and Media Kathy Im in conversation with JAWS’ Board President and Chicago Sun-Times Executive Editor Jennifer Kho

• Sunday, Oct. 15: Lunch Keynote Address by Secretary Haaland

Limited space remains for the conference; click here to learn more and register before capacity is reached.

About the Journalism & Women Symposium (JAWS)

Arising from a first meeting of women journalists in 1985, 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. We believe that by advancing women in journalism, we transform the world.

JAWS brings together working journalists, journalism educators and researchers from across the country to share resources, support, training and information about issues that affect women in our field. We meet in person and online in an atmosphere of mutual support and enthusiastic interest in one another’s differing experiences and journalistic dreams.

* “Women” here includes anyone who self-identifies as a woman, or as a non-binary, gender-nonconforming or agender person.

Learn more at jaws.org.

About Secretary Haaland

Secretary Deb Haaland made history when she became the first Native American to serve as a cabinet member in March 2021. She is a member of the Pueblo of Laguna and a 35th generation New Mexican. 

Secretary Haaland grew up in a military family; her father was a 30-year combat Marine who was awarded the Silver Star Medal for saving six lives in Vietnam, and her mother is a Navy veteran who served as a federal employee for 25 years at the Bureau of Indian Affairs. As a military child, she attended 13 public schools before graduating from Highland High School in Albuquerque.  

As a single mother, Secretary Haaland volunteered at her child’s pre-school to afford early childhood education. Like many parents, she had to rely on food stamps at times as a single parent, lived paycheck-to-paycheck, and struggled to put herself through college. At the age of 28, Haaland enrolled at the University of New Mexico (UNM) where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in English and later earned her J.D. from UNM Law School. Secretary Haaland and her child, who also graduated from the University of New Mexico, are still paying off student loans. 

Secretary Haaland ran her own small business producing and canning Pueblo Salsa, served as a tribal administrator at San Felipe Pueblo, and became the first woman elected to the Laguna Development Corporation Board of Directors, overseeing business operations of the second largest tribal gaming enterprise in New Mexico. She successfully advocated for the Laguna Development Corporation to create policies and commitments to environmentally friendly business practices. 

Throughout her career in public service, Secretary Haaland has broken barriers and opened the doors of opportunity for future generations.  

After running for New Mexico Lieutenant Governor in 2014, Secretary Haaland became the first Native American woman to be elected to lead a State Party. She is also one of the first Native American women to serve in Congress, where she focused on environmental justice, climate change, missing and murdered indigenous women, and family-friendly policies.