CfA: The Debra E. Bernhardt Labor Journalism Prize

Call for articles, deadline 30 August 2022

The Bernhardt Prize is an award of $1,000 given for an article that furthers the understanding of the history of working people. The event and the prize honor the vision of the late Debra E. Bernhardt, who worked in so many different realms to share the hidden histories of working people.

ENTER THE 2022 CONTEST – Articles must be focused on historical events OR focused on current issues (work, housing, organizing, health, education) and include historical context. The article must be published in print or online between August 31, 2021 and August 30, 2022. The prize is given to insightful work that contributes to the understanding of labor history; shows creativity; demonstrates excellence in writing; and adheres to the highest journalistic standards of accuracy. Only one entry per person; publications and subject matter should target the United States and Canada; neither books nor plays are eligible. For articles that meet the above criteria, send the following information to info@laborarts.org: First Name Last Name, “Title of Article,” Publication Name, publication place, publication date, URL for article. (If no URL is available attach a PDF of the entry.) DEADLINE: TUESDAY, AUGUST 30, 2022.

The New York Labor History Association and NYU’s Tamiment Library/Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives sponsor this award in order to inspire more great writing for a general audience about the history of work, workers, and their organizations. The award is co-sponsored by LaborArts; Metro New York Labor Communications Council; and the NYC Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO. The contest committee is: Irwin Yellowitz, NYLHA; Rachel Bernstein, NYLHA and LaborArts; Gary Schoichet, Metro; Kate Whalen, NYC CLC; Shannon O’Neill and Michael Koncewicz, Tamiment.

We are guided by the vision of the late Debra E. Bernhardt, who worked in so many different realms to share the hidden histories of working people. As head of the Wagner Labor Archives she reached out to an astonishing number of people and organizations, to document undocumented stories and unrecognized contributions, and to make links between past and present. The LaborArts project is dedicated to Bernhardt, and the online exhibit “Making History Personal” explores her work.

See the new paperback edition of the book that features many of the materials she brought to the Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives – Ordinary People, Extraordinary Lives – A Pictorial History of Working People in New York City.

SAVE THE DATE – The 2022 Forum will be held Thursday, October 13.

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