‘Impossible task’ leads to top prize for speechwriting

Brenda Jones connects landmarks to the civil rights struggle to win Ragan’s 2010 Sorensen Award.

Brenda Jones connects landmarks to the civil rights struggle to win Ragan’s 2010 Sorensen Award

This year’s finalists for the Theodore C. Sorensen Speechwriting Award—the winner and two honorable mentions—demonstrate a diversity of talent and topic.

The winner for 2010 is Brenda Jones, who authored the keynote address delivered by Rep. John Lewis on the 60th anniversary of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Grant Neely received Honorable Mention for “Why Business Must Change to Earn Back Trust,” delivered by Jeff Kindler, chairman and CEO of Pfizer. Also receiving Honorable Mention was LeeAnne Petry for “Leading through a Fundamental Business Transformation,” delivered by Paul A. Laudicina, managing officer and chairman of A.T. Kearney.

The competition is named in honor of Ted Sorensen, the renowned speechwriter to President John F. Kennedy and one of the most influential wordsmiths of the 20th century.

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