Awards

• Studs Terkel Award, 2005, given by The Community Media Workshop for “longstanding excellence in reporting about Chicago’s diverse communities.”
• New York Public Library Helen Bernstein Award for Excellence in Journalism, finalist, 2001.
• Peter Lisagor Award for Exemplary Journalism, Society of Professional Journalists, Chicago Chapter, 1977, 1991, 1999, 2000 (runner up), 2001.
• Chicago Association of Black Journalists Media Awards 2000 – First place, Newspaper Features category.
• John Bartlow Martin Award for Public Interest Magazine Journalism, 1991. Given by the Medill School of Journalism, Northwestern University.
• Research and Writing Grant, The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, 1990. One of fifteen grants given to writers and scholars throughout the world working on international peace and security issues.
• Research and Writing Grant, The J. Roderick MacArthur Foundation, 1990. The grant, designed to foster human rights development and research, was given to ten institutions and individuals in 1990.
• The Friends of Literature Award for best nonfiction book of 1987.
• The Carl Sandburg Award for best nonfiction book of 1987.
• The Society of Midland Authors Award for best nonfiction book of 1987.
• Alicia Patterson Fellowship, Alicia Patterson Foundation, 1980. The award of a year’s salary is given to five to seven journalists every year to enable them to devote 12 months to a single project.
• National Award for Magazine Writing, Society of Professional Journalists, 1978.
• Clarion Award, Magazine Series Division, Women in Communications, 1978.