The Women’s Jewelry Association (WJA) Foundation has established the Hedda Schupak-Baum Memorial Media and Communications Scholarship in honor of JCK’s former editor-in-chief.
Schupak-Baum died of complications from lung cancer on Oct. 3, 2023, at age 62. She’d served as JCK editor-in-chief from 2000 to 2009, after 14 years in different roles at the publication. She was later editor of the Centurion newsletter, from 2010 to 2022.
The WJA scholarships will be given to aspiring journalists, media professionals, and content creators, who will be encouraged to apply their skills in the jewelry and watch industries.
WJA cofounder Linda Orlick said in a statement: “Hedda’s passion and love for the industry was inspiring to all who crossed her path. I will cherish the friendship that grew over the years. Her journalistic influence in the world of fine jewelry was far-reaching and continues.”
The scholarship was announced during Women’s History Month, “in honor of a member who broke barriers and was both recording and making history,” the WJA said.
Schupak-Baum’s widower, Jim Baum, said in the same statement: “Hedda was a journalist whose coverage of the jewelry industry educated and informed a generation of retailers and designers. She was passionate about this industry and proud of the role that women leaders played in its success. WJA was near and dear to Hedda’s heart, and to know that her legacy will live on through this scholarship would have meant the world to her, as it does to me.”
WJA’s Schupak-Baum Scholarship has been funded with $25,000 over five years. Contributors include Baum, Howard and Patti Hauben, Elias World Media, JCK, Cliq Jewelry, Jewelers of America, National Jeweler, InStore, FIT Alumni Association, Jewelers Collective, Russell Shor, and Bill Boyajian.
This is the second industry honor to pay tribute to Schupak-Baum. Earlier this year, the Centurion renamed its annual design prizes the Hedda Schupak-Baum Centurion Excellence in Design Awards.
(JCK file photo)
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