Bloomberg’s Karen Toulon honored with International Women’s Media Foundation Gwen Ifill Award

November 6, 2018

karen toulon IWMF DC red carpet — Bloomberg's Karen Toulon, far right, attends the IWMF Courage in Journalism Awards in Washington, DC along with other honorees. Photo: Karlin Villondo Photography

Plus: Bloomberg and Newswomen’s Club of New York Host Panel on Women and the Midterm Elections

In the past two weeks, Bloomberg participated in notable events with International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF) and the Newswomens Club of New York.

Karen Toulon, a senior editor for talent, diversity, standards and training at Bloomberg, was honored with the IWMF’s Gwen Ifill Award at the organization’s 2018 Courage in Journalism Awards ceremonies.

Bloomberg's Karen Toulon delivers remarks at the IWMF Courage in Journalism Awards on Oct. 25 in New York.

The ceremonies took place in New York on October 25 at Cipriani 42nd Street and in Washington D.C. Last week on November 1 at the Newseum.

The Gwen Ifill Award was established to honor the memory of the legendary co-anchor of the PBS NewsHour, who passed away in November 2016. The IWMF on the award: “Gwen Ifill was among the most respected journalists of our time, a trailblazer and an incredible role model and mentor for young journalists. The Award is given annually to an outstanding female journalist of color whose work carries forward Ifill’s legacy.”

In her remarks at both events, Karen reflected on Ifill’s legacy and how the passion and deep commitment she had for her craft continues to inspire journalists today.

In her speech given in Washington D.C. last week, Toulon said: “We always need to be inspired by a journalist, a woman, a mentor, a leader like Gwen. We always need to draw strength from someone who took delight in difference. Who had the intellectual courage to run towards things she did not understand…. Who knew that at times — as a woman, and as a woman of color — when she entered a room, she would bring her entire gender and race along with her. She embraced the responsibility that came with her authority…. So, what important value would I add to Gwen’s mandate to bring others along with us as we practice our craft? I would add that we bring the authenticity of our own voices.”

Toulon also said, “It is Bloomberg that I have called home for almost 19 years. And with each year I have come to appreciate how much I value being able to just be me at work. And to work someplace whose values are in line with mine.”

At Bloomberg’s New York headquarters on October 30, the Newswomen’s Club of New York and Bloomberg co-hosted an evening of networking and discussion on women and the midterm elections. Bloomberg Senior White House Correspondent Margaret Talev moderated an in-depth panel and audience Q & A with Karen Finney and Margaret Hoover. Finney is a former senior adviser to Hillary Clinton for 2016 and is currently advising Stacey Abrams, Democratic nominee for Governor in Georgia. Hoover is the host of PBS’ Firing Line with Margaret Hoover and is a CNN Political Commentator.

Toulon is also a member of the Newswomen’s Club; she coordinated the panelists and content of the event and introduced the evening. Bloomberg’s Laura Zelenko, Senior Executive Editor for Diversity, Talent, Standards and Training, also made remarks. More than 100 attendees participated in the event.