Betsy Plank

Betsy Ann Plank (3 April 1924–23 May 2010) In her 63-year-long career, she achieved many first in public relations leadership positions for women. The New York Times referred to her as "a true trailblazer in the field of public relations". In 1973, she became the director of public relations planning for AT&T. Following her brief stint at AT&T, Plank transferred to Illinois Bell (now SBC Communications Inc.) and became the head of a staff of a 102-person department, directing external affairs. In this role she was the first woman to head a company department.

In 1963, she became the first female president of the Publicity Club of Chicago, a position that is now referred to as chair and CEO. partnered with Jon Riffel, known as the godfather of PRSSA, The Center works through a wide array of programs, along with groups and student organizations, in order to develop future leaders in public relations through the development of ethical and effective practices.

During her career, she served as the president of United Christian Community Services, a coalition including nine community agencies.

She is the only person to be president of four Chicago communications organizations: the Publicity Club of Chicago in 1963, the Welfare Public Relations Forum from 1966 to 1967, the Chicago Chapter PRSA in 1969, and the Public Relations Forum in 1979.

Plank married film producer and editor Sherman V. Rosenfield. They bought a powerboat called Yearling for their first anniversary of their marriage which is kept in Lake Michigan. Following her husband's death in 1990, she spent many summers on the Yearling in the harbor, talking with friends and feeding the ducks.