The International Women’s Media Foundation announced that this year’s Gwen Ifill Award winner is Karen Toulon of Bloomberg News.
Toulon, who is a senior editor on Bloomberg’s talent, diversity, standards and training team and a former New York bureau chief, was honored for developing and promoting the broadcast skills of Bloomberg journalists and researchers around the world, while helping to diversify Bloomberg’s global lineup.
Each year, IWMF’s Gwen Ifill Award recognizes an outstanding female journalist of color whose work carries forward Ifill’s legacy of mentoring and supporting other women journalists. Ifill, who passed away in November 2016, was a friend of the IWMF and served as co-anchor of the PBS NewsHour alongside IWMF founder Judy Woodruff.
Bloomberg’s nomination of Toulon stated, “Karen spots talent that others don’t see and cultivates up-and-coming stars. She has upped the game for scores of Bloomberg journalists in bureaus around the world who are seeking opportunities to appear on television and radio. She is generous about sharing her years of experience and know-how.”
“Karen is a revered mentor and role model at Bloomberg and beyond,” says Elisa Lees Muñoz, executive director of IWMF. “We’re thrilled to applaud her work and the inspiration she’s provided to countless young journalists who have followed in her footsteps.”
Toulon says, “I marveled at Gwen’s intelligence and grace and I am truly humbled to receive an award in her name. I never imagined I would be recognized for doing what I enjoy: contributing to the success of the news organizations and the journalists I have been proud to support.”
Toulon will be recognized in person during IWMF’s Courage in Journalism Awards, which will take place at ceremonies in New York City and Washington, D.C. this fall.
