Doris Fleischman Award

The Doris Fleischman Award honors the selfless, dedicated volunteer who steadfastly and quietly contributes to the public relations profession through the Florida Public Relations Association. This honoree is indispensable, managing projects both large and small, committed to give more than they take. Ultimately, they genuinely want to contribute to and improve the overall profession, whether they receive credit or not.

Inspiration for the award comes from Doris Fleischmann, who graduated from Barnard, and in 1919, became partner in the firm of Edward Bernays, considered the father of modern public relations. Fleischman played an equal role in the firm’s success, securing coverage for the first NAACP convention held below the Mason-Dixon line and working with several clients, including Dwight Eisenhower, Jane Addams, Theodore Roosevelt and Thomas Edison. A tireless supporter of women, she helped many enter the field of public relations and co-created a competition in 1974 for best strategies to achieve pay equity and justice for women in the workplace and the home.

For information on how to nominate someone for the Fleischman Award, download the award guidelines. Nominations are due April 4, 2025.

Congratulations to all previous Fleischman Award winners: