Autumn Linford of the University of North Carolina is the winner of the 2021 Diversity in Journalism History Research Award. The award – presented by the History Division of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC) – recognizes the outstanding paper in journalism or mass communication history that addresses issues of inclusion and the study of marginalized groups and topics. The award winner is selected from research submitted for the annual conference paper competition.

Linford, a Ph.D. student, also won the division’s Top Student Paper Award for her paper, “Perceptions of Progressive Era Newsgirls: Framing of Girl Newsies by Reformers, Newspapers, and the Public.”

“I am thrilled to receive this award and to have the spotlight on this important and understudied topic,” said Linford. “Newsgirls are an essential piece to understanding Progressive Era newspapers and newsworkers. I am honored to help bring their stories and experiences to light.”

Judge and former Division Chair Teri Finneman said Linford conducted an impressive and extensive analysis that brings to light little-known gender and race history within the newspaper industry.

“Autumn’s study of newsgirls is important because they were a regular topic of conversation during the Progressive Era and are, therefore, important for understanding the history of newspapers during this time. Yet so much of history has only focused on newsboys, making this study important for clarifying and expanding our knowledge of history,” Finneman said. “It’s also amazing that the division’s graduate students continue to lead the way in diversity research and win this prize with their thoughtful work that makes a significant impact in our field.”

This now marks the third year in a row that a graduate student has won the Diversity Award. In 2020, Carolina Velloso of the University of Maryland won, while in 2019 Michelle Rotuno-Johnson of Ohio University took home the then inaugural award.

Linford will be receive a plaque and cash prize for her award-winning research. She will also be recognized during the History Division’s business meeting in early August.