Sept. 26, 2026 – Sherry Thompson of Omaha, Neb., has been named the runner-up for the 2026 Communicator of Achievement Award from the National Federation of Press Women (NFPW).
Thompson was recognized during a celebration at the organization’s annual conference held Sept. 24-26, 2026, in Ellicott City, Md. Now in its 89th year, NFPW is a nationwide organization of professional women and men pursuing careers across the spectrum of journalism and communications.
Thompson, an active member of Nebraska Press Women, operated a communications business, Sherry Thompson Writing and Editing, for much of her career. Additionally, she had held communications, grantwriting and consulting roles with Saving Grace Perishable Food Rescue. After serving as a board member for the Women’s Fund of Omaha, she joined the staff as a communications and research manager. As an officer and advisor for the Omaha Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary Board, she coordinates Tastes and Treasures, a highly successful fundraiser supporting local programs.
Alongside her community service, Thompson served Nebraska Press Women as president, vice president, treasurer, website coordinator and high school communications contest director. During this time, the number of high school contest entries more than quadrupled. She was a director of the Nebraska Women Journalists Hall of Fame and was a leader of the planning committee when the Nebraska and Iowa affiliates hosted NFPW’s national conference in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
Teri Ehresman of Island Park, Idaho, retired journalist and communications director for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Idaho National Laboratory, was named NFPW’s 2026 Communicator of Achievement. This prestigious award has been given for 69 years.
Other nominees for the 2026 NFPW Communicator Achievement, each put forward by their NFPW affiliate organization, were: Teresa Veazey, Kansas Professional Communicators; Carol A. Clark, New Mexico Press Women; Roxane Salonen, North Dakota Professional Communicators; and Sande Snead, Virginia Professional Communicators.