GAMC0940
October 16, 2009

Presbyterian social media site wins Landmark Award

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - AllWomen in the church, a social media site that reaches out to women across the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has been honored with a Landmarks of Excellence "Award of Merit" by the International Association of Business Communicators of Kentucky and the Public Relations Society of America, Bluegrass Chapter. The site was the only entry from a religious organization to be so honored in this year's awards.

The site won in the Online Communications/Social Media award category. Dana McMahan, Web content developer, and Thommy Browne, Web designer, accepted the award on Oct. 6.

The site, launched in March 2009, seeks to aid women in the Presbyterian Church in their professional lives and faith journeys, and to deepen and widen their communities of faith. More than 500 members participate in the discussion forum, share photos and videos, and post events. They find encouragement and inspiration in stories of women's experiences in the church and in the world, and nurture their faith through devotional readings and liturgical resources.

The AllWomen site is part of the Racial Ethnic and Women's Ministries/Presbyterian Women ministry area led by Rhashell Hunter, ministry director. Beth Newberry, Mission Communications associate, serves as Web editor for the site.

Each year, the International Association of Business Communicators of Kentucky and the Public Relations Society of America's Bluegrass Chapter host the Landmarks of Excellence Awards to recognize outstanding achievement in the public relations arena. The awards recognize participants for excellence in planning, creativity and execution of programs or individual projects.

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) comprises 2.2 million members in more than 10,000 congregations, answering Christ's call to mission and ministry throughout the U.S. and the world.