Thursday, April 10, 2025
The American News Women’s Club on April 3 honored one journalist who shapes the way Washingtonians connect with their community — from inspiring stories of local heroes to celebrating hidden gems tucked away in historic neighborhoods.
Petula Dvorak of the Washington Post received the Annual Excellence in Journalism Award for being a dedicated local news reporter whose reporting isn’t just a job. It’s a mission.
In a world where national headlines often dominate, Dvorak’s dedication to local journalism reminds us of the power of staying rooted—a theme echoed by each of the speakers who feted her.
Dvorak wrote the Our Town column for 15 years at the Washington Post and is now penning the Retropolis column in the newspaper’s Metro section.
Claudia Deane (Executive VP, Pew Research Center), Claire Swift (Exec Chair ANWC), Glen Justice (CEO of Outside Voice), honoree Petula Dvorak, Dana Priest (Former Washington Post Reporter) and Matt Murray (Executive Editor of the Washington Post) gather at the ANWC to honor honoree Petula Dvorak on April 3. Photo by Neshan Naltchayan/ANWC.
ANWC 2025 scholarship recipients Caroline Pecora (U.Md., ’25), Abigail Turner (A.U., ’25), honoree Petula Dvorak and Allison Robbert (G.W.U., ’26). Photo by Neshan Naltchayan/ANWC.