By Lauren Stewart
Assistant director for development

James (center, left) pictured above with colleagues and, a two-time Olympian, two-time World Bronze medalist and three-time U.S. champion figure skater, Michael Weiss.

Marmie Edwards, APR, CAE and Maria D. James, M.S., both alumnus of the VCU School of Mass Communications’ Strategic Public Relations graduate program, were honored on Sept. 14 by the Public Relations Society of America- National Capital Chapter with the prestigious Thoth Awards.

At the 44^th annual PRSA- National Capital Chapter Thoth Award gala, Edwards accepted the award for Online Communications on behalf of the Operation Lifesaver’s “Bad Move” pedestrian safety online campaign. The campaign, “Write Your Own Ending” to the “Bad Move” PSA contest, featured QR codes on posters in transit stations and trains linking back to the organization’s Vimeo page showcasing a PSA acted out with three different endings.

On behalf of Merck & Co, Inc., James took home the Thoth Award in the brochure category for the Healthy Beginnings for Babies program and its Guide for Baby’s 1^st Year booklet. The brochure was created in support of African American and Hispanic women about the importance of following through on all recommended well-baby visits during a child’s first year of life.

Also accepted by James and her colleagues were the PRNews Platinum PR award, and the PRSA Bronze Anvil Award of Commendation. Both awards recognized the Guide for Baby’s 1^st Year booklet.

Each year, PRSA recognizes outstanding public relations with the Thoth Awards. Pronounced “tot,” the distinguished Thoth Awards are named after Thoth, the Egyptian god of wisdom- a mediator, scribe and credited as the inventor of communications and writing.