Stuttering Foundation's 19th Annual Media Awards Competition

Call for Entries

Stuttering Foundation's 19th Annual Media Awards Competition

New Category Recognizes Internet Media

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (Jan. 26, 2010) — The Stuttering Foundation announces it will recognize journalists for the 19th consecutive year for excellence in reporting that furthers the understanding of this complex disorder.

“We are happy to announce these awards to further public awareness of stuttering,” said Jane Fraser. “Media coverage has grown substantially in volume and sensitivity in recent years. We want to continue recognizing outstanding reporters.”

The 19th annual Stuttering Foundation Awards will be given to journalists in three categories: print, electronic media (radio and TV), and Internet (Web sites, blogs, and electronic publications). They will recognize news stories that:

• Advanced the public’s understanding of stuttering;

• Introduced information on stuttering to a significant new audience.

Journalists are invited to submit copies, DVDs, and printed Web/blog pages of their news items to the Stuttering Foundation, P.O. Box 11749, Memphis, TN 38111-0749. All entries must have been published or aired between Jan. 1, 2009, and April 20, 2010. All entries must be received by April 30, 2010. There is no charge to enter this competition.

In addition to a public announcement of the Award recipients, each honoree will receive a cash award of $250.00 from the Foundation.

The nonprofit Stuttering Foundation that has worked toward the prevention and improved treatment of stuttering since 1947. For more information, call 800-992-9392 or visit www.stutteringhelp.org.

www.stutteringhelp.org • www.tartamudez.org

CELEBRITY FOCUS

Mel Tillis

Mel Tillis, born Lonnie Melvin Tillis, was an influential figure in country music, both as a songwriter and a performer. His journey to fame was marked by overcoming personal challenges, including a stutter that he turned into a defining part of his public persona.

Frank Wolf

This Virginian congressman has served in the U.S. House of Representatives since 1981. The longtime supporter of the Stuttering Foundation drew national attention to childhood stuttering in 2006 when he submitted an article about Tiger Woods from the SFA newsletter to the Congressional Record. The congressman is featured in the Stuttering Foundation's Famous People Who Stutter brochure.

Jack Paar

While Jack Paar is among the most prominent of the entertainers on the Stuttering Foundation’s list of Famous People Who Stutter, he deserves special recognition as he was among the first to openly address his stuttering in public. As host of The Tonight Show from 1957-1962, he spoke of his difficulties as a stuttering child and teenager, giving hope to young people.

John Stossel

John Stossel is one of the most recognized and articulate reporters today. However, he once considered giving up his broadcasting career because of his stuttering.

“Fear of stuttering can easily become worse than the stuttering itself,” observed Stossel. “The idea that I’m on television and making speeches is still a shock to me sometimes.”

Bill Withers

While Bill Withers has long been on the Stuttering Foundation's list of Famous People Who Stutter, many people probably didn’t realize he stuttered. He passed away on March 30, 2020.

Born in 1938 in Slab Fork, W.V., Withers was the youngest of six children. When his father died when Withers was small, he was raised by his mother and grandmother, both of whom worked as domestics.