(ATLANTA, GEORGIA) – Monica Kaufman Pearson, a SPJ member for more than 40 years, received the Robert S. Abbott Memorial Award for Meritorious Service in Mass Communications on Feb. 18 at the Southern Regional Press Institute at Savannah State University. Pearson also was the keynote speaker at the Milledge-Owens Awards Luncheon on Feb. 19.

Pearson is best known for her job as anchor in Atlanta at WSB-TV and as the first woman minority evening news anchor in Atlanta. She retired after 37 years in 2012. After retirement she continues to write the column “Monica Matters” column for Southern Seasons and as a weekly radio show on KISS 104.1 FM.

During her luncheon address, she spoke of SPJ’s Code of Ethics and how every journalist should know these codes. Pearson also told students and professionals to get involved in the community they serve. “It’ not all about you,” said Pearson about the viewers’ importance in your journalism career.

Pearson has numerous awards including 33 local and regional Emmys and the Legacy Award from the National Association of Black Journalists. In 2015 she was awarded the Richard M. Uray Award for Excellence from the National Broadcast Society. She is a Hall of Fame winner from the University of Kentucky, the Georgia Association of Broadcasters, The Atlanta Press Club and the National Association of Black Journalists.

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