Arkansas Newspaper Foundation to Present Meredith Oakley Memorial Award

$1,000 Annual Award to Be Presented to Arkansas FOIA Advocate

The Arkansas Newspaper Foundation has announced a new endowed award will be named in honor of the late former Arkansas Democrat-gazette Associate Editor and “Voices” page editor Meredith Oakley.

The Meredith Oakley Award will be presented annually to a strong advocate of freedom of information. The first presentation will be made during the Better Newspaper Editorial Awards Banquet at the Arkansas Press Association Convention on July 29, 2024, at Red Wolf Convention Center in Jonesboro.

Oakley died this past July at age 72. She joined the staff of the then-arkansas Democrat in 1976, beginning a 35-year career over which she became known as a scathingly honest critic of those in power. She was a fierce defender of the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act who served on the Freedom of Information Coalition and testified at the state legislature against laws that would weaken the people's right to know. It was said she never gave an inch, because she understood all too well how many miles legislators and special interests would grab in return.

“Meredith Oakley was a bulldog journalist if there ever was one… tough, but well-respected,” said ANF President Rusty Fraser. “The foundation is honored to present this new annual award in her memory.”

"Meredith was a hardnosed and hard-working journalist,” said ANF Board Member Skip Rutherford. “But there was a side of her that was also funny and generous, exemplified by her performances in the Farkleberry Follies, which raised thousands of dollars for college journalism scholarships.”

“Meredith was a formidable journalist who, over her 35-year career, was known as a fierce defender of the public’s right to know,” said APA Executive Director Ashley Kemp Wimberley. “She was not known to mince words. I am sure the future recipients of this award will be equally as tenacious.”

ANF is APA’S philanthropic arm. Other members of the ANF board include: Steve Eddington, Rob Roedel, Steve Listopad, Kim Christ, Jeanette Lightfoot and Frank Fellone.

Seed money for the Meredith Oakley Award has been pledged by the Hussman Foundation. Contributions to the award in memory of Meredith Oakley may be mailed to the Arkansas Newspaper Foundation, 411 South Victory Street, Little Rock, Arkansas 72201. Please note on your check, “In Memory of Meredith Oakley”