Award
Object number2023.139.1
Made by
J. N. H.
Date1952
MediumCeramic; Glaze
Credit LineGift of Women's Press Club of Pittsburgh
DescriptionCeramic Newshen Award in the form of a chicken (rooster). White clay ground has glossy polychrome glaze. Chicken has brown front; yellow, red, and green head; brown and red wings; and black, green, and yellow tail feathers. Chicken stands on green ground. Chicken is hollow and has white underside with hole at center flanked by two horizontal linear feet.DimensionsHeight x Width x Depth: 7.375 x 3.5 x 6.125 in. (18.7 x 8.9 x 15.6 cm)InscriptionsChicken's chest has black and red text "WOMeN'S PReSS CLub / OF / PiTTSbuRGh / NewsheN AWARD OF 1952 / SpeciAL DivisioN / MARie McSwiGAN".
MarksUnderside has black text "J.N.H."
Historical NotesThis ceramic "Newshen" was awarded to Marie McSwigan in 1952. The Women's Press Club of Pittsburgh granted Newshen writing awards for most of its history, reclaiming a derogatory nickname for women working in newsrooms. Ceramic chickens were awarded early on in the club's history up to the early 1960s when the ceramic chickens were replaced with sterling silver pins. WPC's 100th anniversary history book from 1991 offers this short review of the ceramic figures: "(The original club pin) was replaced by a ceramic hen for award winners, which the majority of members disliked." This particular newshen, about 8 inches tall and actually depicting a rooster(!), was awarded in 1952's "special division" to Marie McSwigan (1907-1962), an author and newspaperwoman who worked for the Pittsburgh Press and Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph. She traveled often and also did public relations for Carnegie Institute's (now CMU's) Fine Arts Department, University of Pittsburgh and Kennywood, which her family owned. In 2016, a gentleman named Brian McCullough bought the newshen at a flea market and reached out to get it back to the club. The Women's Press Club of Pittsburgh was one of the first press clubs to form in the United States, and one of the earliest professional women's clubs in the country. The Club was formed on February 7, 1891, by seven newspaperwomen to promote friendship and the work of women in journalism.
Related institution
Women's Press Club of Pittsburgh
(founded 1891)
Previous owner
Marie McSwigan
(1907 - 1962)
Related institution
The Pittsburgh Press
Related institution
Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph
Related institution
Carnegie Mellon University
Related institution
University of Pittsburgh
Previous owner
Brian McCullough
On View
Not on view
Hamilton Manufacturing Company
1968-2001
