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New York, NY--Priya Raj, a freelance journalist and content strategist from the United Kingdom, was named the first recipient of the of the 2024 Hedda Schupak-Baum Memorial Media and Communications Scholarship.

The Women’s Jewelry Association Foundation (WJA Foundation) established the scholarship to honor the late Hedda-Schupak Baum, an icon in the jewelry journalism. Its intent is to support aspiring professionals in the fields of media, communications and public relations.

Raj has quickly made a name for herself in the industry through her insightful contributions to global publications on fine jewelry and watches, the WJA Foundation said in a statement. She has reported on a variety of prestigious local and international jewelry events, with her work featured by the BBC, Refinery29 and InStyle magazine. Her journalistic focus is on demystifying the world of jewelry while highlighting the stories of marginalized and underrepresented groups in the industry.

“I am honored and humbled to have received the first Hedda Schupak-Baum Memorial Media and Communications Scholarship,” Raj said. “Receiving this scholarship marks not only a milestone in my career, but also the shifting sands of our industry. I look forward to undertaking the responsibility of amplifying the untold stories of the industry.”

Raj plans to use the scholarship funds to enroll in courses at the Gemological Institute of America on diamond grading and gemstone identification, equipping her with the knowledge to deepen her editorial work and spearhead more thought provoking content in the jewelry and watch space.

“Hedda, from her earliest days at JCK, was an advocate for women and how women should play a larger leadership role in the jewelry industry. She understood the influence that responsible journalists could have and did her part to make sure that everyone with a stake in the jewelry business was heard” says Hedda’s husband Jim Baum. “The Hedda Schupak-Baum Memorial Scholarship for Women in Media helps to ensure that Hedda’s ideals will be passed on to a new generation of jewelry industry influencers. I am thrilled that Priya will be the first ever recipient of support from The Hedda Schupak Memorial Scholarship for Woman in Media.”

The Hedda Schupak-Baum Memorial Media and Communications Scholarship was established by a small, dedicated committee in 2024 to honor Schupak’s legacy of excellence and innovation in jewelry storytelling. It was funded by Jim Baum, Mitchell and Leslie Horowitz, Howard and Patti Hauben, Elias World Media, JCK, INSTORE, Cliq Jewelry, Jewelers of America, National Jeweler, FIT Alumni Association, Jewelers Collective, Russell Shor, Bill Boyajian, and Jewelry by Karla Kristine.

The WJA Foundation said it is “honored to be part of this lasting tribute to Hedda’s influence and looks forward to seeing the meaningful contributions that recipients of this scholarship, like Priya Raj, will make to the industry."

WJA Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that offers a variety of scholarships and grants to support the career growth and educational endeavors of professionals in the jewelry and watch industries. To learn more and donate to WJA Foundation, including the Hedda Schupak-Baum Memorial Media and Communications Scholarship, visit  womensjewelryassociation.com/foundation