“PR is fundamental to a democratic society…”

This week the public relations profession – and industry – pause for a moment to remember Betsy Plank, one of the trailblazers and pillars of our profession. She passed away yesterday (May 23) at the age of 86, after mentored hundreds of fellow PR professionals.

I met Betsy 20 years ago at a national Public Relations Society of America conference when she was an energetic 65-year-old; we discussed education/internships for the next generation of PR professionals. 

During Betsy’s six decades in PR, she marked many “firsts” including roles as:

- Co-chair (in 1967) of a national commission to develop guidelines for the undergraduate public relations curriculum.

- First woman exec to head a division of Illinois Bell (AT&T).

- First woman elected national president of PRSA.   

In her 2002 acceptance remarks upon becoming the first woman to receive the Institute for Public Relations’ Alexander Hamilton Award, Betsy said,

“In my philosophy, public relations is fundamental to a democratic society where people make decisions in the workplace, marketplace, the community and the voting booth.  Its primary mission is to forge responsible relationships of understanding, trust and respect among groups and individuals – even when they disagree!”

More info recognizing Betsy’s achievements is posted on the PRSA website.

Posted: May 24, 2010 at 3:17 pm by Ron