The Wendi Winters Memorial Foundation (WWMF) and DC Theater Arts (DCTA) are pleased to announce the establishment of the Wendi Winters Memorial Series. The series, funded by WWMF and administered by DCTA, is intended to support community journalism and provide an identifiable contribution to local arts coverage. The series will also lift the voices of historically marginalized communities, especially BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and women.
The Wendi Winters Memorial Series honors journalist and DC Theater Arts contributor Wendi Winters, who was murdered while defending her colleagues at the offices of the Annapolis Capital Gazette on June 28, 2018.
WWMF vice president and Wendi’s son Phoenix Geimer noted, “This collaboration with DCTA is an ideal way to honor my mother’s commitment to community journalism and to lift up the voices of marginalized communities. Wendi didn’t come to journalism from a traditional route, but people really resonated with her tactile descriptions of local people and events. We hope to help create an environment where diverse voices can be uplifted like hers was.”
DCTA editor and publisher Nicole Hertvik says “DC Theater Arts is honored and humbled by this opportunity to create local journalism in Wendi Winters’ name. Wendi was a dear friend to DCTA so it is bittersweet that this grant stems from her senseless death. We will use these funds to honor Wendi and the other journalists lost in the Capital Gazette shooting through quality local journalism that puts a spotlight on the work done by the region’s artists.”
Summerleigh Geimer, WWMF president and Wendi’s daughter, adds, “DCTA offers the ideal venue to honor my mother’s legacy, as DCTA exemplifies journalism in service to the local community. Wendi was also a passionate devotee of theatre and a proud contributor to DCTA.”
About the organizations
The Wendi Winters Memorial Foundation was established by the family of slain journalist Wendi Winters to honor three facets of her legacy: Community Journalism, Prevention of Gun Violence, and Support for Blood Drives of the American Red Cross. Blood drives are held biannually in her honor. Register to donate by typing “forwendi” in the ‘find a drive’ section of redcrossblood.org.
DC Theater Arts supports and empowers theater-makers and theatergoers in the Washington, D.C. area by providing trustworthy information, raising awareness, and creating engagement through quality local reporting of the region’s theater scene. DC Theater Arts is the DC region’s most comprehensive source of theater news, reviews, and interviews. For more information go to dctheaterarts.org.
