Compiled in 2001 by Pat Richardson, Historian
Several times in recent years, members have waged a great debate on whether or not to take gender out of the affiliate’s name.
The first man joined APW in 1974. He was John Ullman, a journalism professor at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. APW amended its constitution that year so that membership requirements applied to “persons” rather than to “women.”
While members encourage men to join the affiliate and welcome their participation in activities, they wanted to retain the original goal of the organization: professional development for women in the communication field. With that goal in mind, as of 2001, the membership continued to keep “women” in the name.