Winter 2015 Vol. 47, Issue II www.prssa.org/FORUM
How Betsy Stole the Heart of Public Relations
BY BRITTANY DOWNEY UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA
Often referred to as the godmother of PRSSA, Betsy Plank left an unforgettable
impression on the industry. Photo courtesy of The Plank Center.
Betsy Plank’s achievements
populate conversations daily. Although she’s gone, her legacy will
never fade. Plank’s memory lives
beyond her work in the field of
public relations. As the namesake
for the Plank Center for Leadership in Public Relations, Plank
was a pioneer in the world of
public relations and a mentor to many working professionals — past and present.
TRAILBLAZING THROUGH THE
INDUSTRY
Plank, known as the “First
Lady of Public Relations,” showed
students and professionals worldwide how hard work and a little
faith can lead to unimaginable
success. She played an active role
in the formation of PRSSA and was
one of the co-founders for what
is now known as Champions for
PRSSA. Plank also held positions at
Daniel J. Edelman, now known as
Edelman, AT&T and Illinois Bell.
Diana Martinelli, associate dean of the P.I. Reed School
of Journalism of West Virginia University, emphasized
Plank’s effect on women in the
public
relations
workforce.
“As a woman, she was a
trailblazer in the [public relations] profession,” Martinelli
said. “She served as an executive at Edelman, owned her
own successful agency and led
PRSA as its first woman president in the early 1970s. She was
smart, tenacious and passionate
throughout her professional life.”
MENTORING AT ITS FINEST
Plank’s professional legacy
is only part of the story. Past and
present Plank Center members,
PRSA presidents and other public
relations professionals comment
on her outstanding character and
endearing personality. Kevin Saghy, past PRSSA national