Freelance Reporter Wins $1000 Jane Croly/GFWC Journalism Prize

Posted on May 29, 2002

Three articles about outstanding women who overcame obstacles to do what each felt was necessary in the effort to make the world a better place, submitted by Rahel Musleah, received the highest score from the judges in the seventh annual Jane Cunningham Croly/GFWC Print Journalism Contest for Excellence in Covering Issues of Concern to Women. Contest judges were: Joan Lowy, Scripps Howard News Service; Leslie Milk, Lifestyle Editor, Washingtonian Magazine; and Judith Mueller, Executive Director, The Woman's Center.

Ms. Musleah, a freelance writer whose articles have appeared in a variety of magazines and newspapers, will receive a $1,000 cash award for her winning entry at the General Federation of Women's Clubs international convention in Kansas City, MO on June 17, it was announced by Shelby P. Hamlett, GFWC's International President. Mrs. Hamlett explained that the contest was designed to pay tribute to journalist and GFWC founder Jane Croly, following her induction into the National Women's Hall of Fame in 1994.

"Mrs. Croly devoted her life to helping women improve their lives and expand their rights, and the judges obviously believed that Ms. Musleah's writing best captured her courage, vision, and spirit," Mrs. Hamlett said.

The Croly contest attracts dozens of entries each year from newspaper and magazine writers around the nation. In addition to Family Circle, Jewish Woman and Hadassah magazine, which published Ms. Musleah's winning pieces, some of this year's articles came from reporters at: The Village Voice (NY), BusinessWeek, and The Tennessean.

Born in 1829, Jane Croly, writing under the pen name "Jennie June," began her journalism career in New York City while in her early twenties. She held editorial positions on newspapers and magazines for over 40 years, always focusing on issues of concern to women and on subjects that would raise their intellectual status. In 1868, Croly organized Sorosis, a pioneer woman's club, and 21 years later issued a call to other such clubs around the country to form GFWC. Through early clubs, as today, women found an outlet for their energies and a way to exert influence on the world around them.

By conducting the contest, GFWC hopes to raise public awareness of Mrs. Croly's contribution to the advancement of women and encourage more print reporters to follow her example. The 2001 Croly Award winner was Wall Street Journal reporter, Rachel Zimmerman who submitted three articles about the politics of the abortion pill RU-486 in the United States.

In addition to her journalistic career, Ms. Musleah has authored several books and is a speaker, singer, and storyteller. She has received awards for her writing from the Society of Professional Journalists, the American Jewish Press Association and the Society of National Association Publications. Born in Calcutta, India, Ms. Musleah is a graduate of Columbia University and the Jewish Theological Seminary of America. She lives in Great Neck, NY with her two daughters.

GFWC is an international organization of community-based women's clubs which have been working for more than 111 years to address the most pressing needs of their communities and the world. It is headquartered in Washington, D.C.