Women in the news
"Karen Jurgensen" 2000 Matrix Awardee
Editor of USA Today
AWC is pleased to announce the winner of the 2000 Matrix Award honoring those who have made outstanding contributions to the communications field. This year's winner is Ms. Karen Jurgensen, editor of USA Today. Karen will be honored at a luncheon to be held on Monday, May 15, at the National Press Club.
Less than one year ago, Karen Jurgensen was named editor of USA Today. At age 50, she has become the first female editor of the county's largest general-interest newspaper with a readership of 2.3 million.
Jurgensen joined USA Today at its start 18 years ago as topics editor in the Life section. From there, she advanced to special projects editor. Then her career progressed from editor in charge of the Life section to cover editor to senior editor for special projects, including polling. She served as the newspaper's editorial page editor from 1991-99.
Jurgensen began her journalism career in 1972 at the Charlotte(NC) News; later, she worked at The Miami News. While at The Miami News, she made the decision to move from her position as features editor to become the metro editor's assistant in order to gain hard news experience. From there, it was on to USA Today.
