The Academy of New England Journalists honored four distinguished members of the profession, and one historical figure, at the 2026 Yankee Quill Award Luncheon, held March 14 during the annual convention of the New England Newspaper & Press Association at The Venue at Portwalk Place.
The Yankee Quill Award—considered the highest individual honor for journalists in New England—recognizes lifetime achievement and a lasting impact on the region’s news industry. This year’s honorees, Wayne Braverman, Katherine McCabe, Judy Meyer, and Rex Rhoades, were celebrated for careers defined by excellence in reporting, leadership, mentorship, and an enduring commitment to public service journalism. The luncheon also included a posthumous tribute to Nathan Hale, the 19th-century publisher of The Boston Daily Advertiser, whose leadership helped shape early American journalism and underscored the enduring importance of a free press.
Wayne Braverman was recognized for a nearly half-century career devoted to community journalism across Eastern and Central Massachusetts. As both a reporter and editor, he focused on the issues closest to readers’ daily lives—local government, education, and public accountability—ensuring that residents stayed informed and engaged. Beyond his newsroom leadership, Braverman’s impact extended through an internationally recognized internship program that helped launch the careers of hundreds of young journalists, leaving a lasting imprint on the profession.
Katherine McCabe was honored for more than 30 years at The Boston Globe, where she has served as a steady and trusted newsroom leader. As night city editor, she has guided coverage of breaking news with precision and calm, overseeing reporting on major events ranging from fires and crime to politics and public safety. A contributor to the Globe’s Pulitzer Prize–winning coverage of the Boston Marathon bombing, McCabe has also played a critical role as a mentor, shaping the careers of countless journalists and reinforcing the highest standards of ethical reporting.
Judy Meyer was recognized for her decades-long commitment to investigative reporting, newsroom leadership, and the defense of the First Amendment. Over nearly 35 years in Maine journalism, she has led newsrooms that produced impactful, award-winning work exposing government failures and strengthening communities. A leading voice in public access and transparency, Meyer has helped shape right-to-know laws and champion open government, while also mentoring generations of reporters and editors across the region.
Rex Rhoades was honored for a 40-year career defined by watchdog reporting and transformative newsroom leadership. As executive editor of the Sun Journal in Lewiston, Maine, he led investigations that drove meaningful change—improving school safety, challenging government secrecy, and informing the public on critical issues. Known for his unwavering commitment to accountability journalism, Rhoades guided his newsroom through industry shifts while maintaining a strong focus on public service and editorial excellence.
Presented annually since 1959, the Yankee Quill Award honors individuals whose careers have left a meaningful and lasting mark on journalism in the six-state region. The 2026 ceremony brought together colleagues, friends, and family members to celebrate not only the honorees’ accomplishments but also the enduring impact of their work on the communities they have served.
Photos from the luncheon are included below.
