Barbara Jordan Media Awards
In 1982, a series of prestigious annual awards recognizing outstanding contributions of the Texas communications media was established by the Texas Governor's Committee on People with Disabilities. These awards recognize individuals and organizations for eliminating attitudinal, social and physical barriers, and for encouraging accurate, respectful and progressive portrayals of people with disabilities. At the suggestion of media advisors, the awards were named for Barbara Jordan, one of Texas' most distinguished citizens and foremost spokespersons for the rights of all human beings. In January of 1996, Barbara Jordan passed away. The Texas Governor's Committee on People with Disabilities continues to honor her in this program.
The Barbara Jordan Media Awards acknowledge print, broadcast, and Internet media professionals who accurately and positively report on individuals with disabilities. Each year the decisions for the judges become more difficult as more quality entries are received.
The award itself is a beautiful three-inch bronze medallion designed by David Deming, an internationally prominent sculptor, and is presented to winners in several categories each year at an awards ceremony hosted by one of the many local committees throughout the state.
Elements in past winning entries include:
- Portraying people with disabilities as independent and productive.
- Focusing on stories about people first and disability second.
- Using people with disabilities as sources, rather than as examples.
- Placing coverage in appropriate subject area (e.g. sports covered in sports section).
To be eligible, entries must have been produced and offered to the public between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2009 and submitted to our office by January 15, 2010. Submission guidelines and an entry form are enclosed.
Submit a Barbara Jordan Media Award entry
We encourage you to submit a Barbara Jordan Media Awards entry. Self-submissions are welcome. Here are the Submission Guidelines and Entry Form. If you encounter any problems opening either of these files, get the free Acrobat Reader or contact the Web Accessibility Coordinator for assistance.
2008 Barbara Jordan Media Awards Winners
Television News/Feature, Short:
Award Winner: “Miracle League”
Arnold Payne III, Photographer
Paige McCoy Smith, Reporter
Norm Poon, Editor
WFAA-TV, Dallas
Television News/Feature, Extended:
Award Winner: “Quilting by Hand”
Phillips Production, Inc
Bob Phillips, Host
Jason Anderson, Producer
Dan Stricklin, Videographer
Texas Country Reporter
Special Contribution:
Award Winner: “Changing Children’s Lives”
Scottish Rite Learning Center
Alice Marsel, Director of Education
Steve Mims, Co-Producer
Patrick Peyton, Co-Producer
Austin, TX
Print Feature Article:
Award Winner: “Soldiering Forward”
Pam LeBlanc, Reporter
Austin American-Statesman
Print News Article:
Award Winner: “City Sidewalks Failing to Square with Disabilities Law”
Tracey Idell Hamilton, Reporter
San Antonio Express-News
