2008 Smitty Award for Communicator of the Year

Chapter President Natasha Baker introduced Patty Sorrell, this year's Smitty Award winner, at the PRism Awards Dinner on April 10, 2008.

Click here to download Patty's acceptance speech. She addressed how she has come to use her communication skills in ways she never thought she would: to speak on the behalf of someone who can't.

We asked a few of Patty's peers and co-workers to share a few words about her:

Working with Patty, I have always admired her impeccable character and limitless integrity. It is a common thread through her personal and professional life and qualities we should aspire to as individuals and as an industry.
-Kevin Dugan, creator of the Strategic Public Relations Blog and long-time friend of Patty’s

Knowing Patty Sorrell has been a humbling experience for me. Yes, she’s incredibly talented and funny. Smart and compassionate. But what is amazing to me is how much determination, perseverance and commitment to positive change is embedded in that one slender body.

Managing the status quo and business as usual is easy – that path of least resistance. But battling for change, for a better way of doing things, for progress is very hard indeed. When Patty decides to focus on a problem, you know she is going to have a positive impact.

Patty is a true leader. I am honored to add my congratulations to all of yours as she accepts this award tonight.
-Karen Baxter, who served on the PRSA board with Patty and was our 2007 Communicator of the Year recipient

Congratulations, Patty!

 Past Smitty Winners

2007 Karen Baxter, Time Warner Cable
2006 Beth Mehlberth, Edward Howard & Co.
2005 Shelley Bird, NCR
2004 no recipient
2003 Sharon Sears, Dayton International Airport
2002 Paul Guthrie, Reynolds & Reynolds
2001 Sandra Gudorf, Downtown Dayton Partnership
2000 Gary Honnert, Sinclair Community College
1999 no recipient
1998 no recipient
1997 Carl Day, WDTN
1996 Patricia Soloman, Kids Voting
1995 Dr. David Ponitz, Sinclair Community College
1994 Willie Walker, Dayton Urban League
1993 Laurence Harkness, Children's Medical Center
1992 David Holmes, Reynolds and Reynolds
1991 Frank Winslow, Winslow-Chappel, Inc.
1990 Sharon Fair, WDTN
1989 Dr. Franklin Smith, Dayton Public Schools
1988 Rex Smith and Johnny Walker, WKEF
1987 Mike Peters, Dayton Newspapers
1986 Dale Huffman, Dayton Newspapers
1985 Don Wayne, WHIO - TV
1984 no recipient
1983 Si Burick, Dayton Newspapers
1982 Kris Long