Annetta Cheek spent decades as a federal employee and plain language advocate in the United States government, working tirelessly to make government communication clearer for ordinary citizens. She co-founded the Center for Plain Language, a nonprofit organisation that works with federal agencies to improve their communications.

Her most significant achievement was her central role in lobbying Congress to pass the Plain Writing Act of 2010 — legislation that requires federal agencies to use clear language in their public communications. The Act was signed into law by President Obama and remains a landmark achievement for plain language in government.

Annetta received the Christine Mowat Award at the 2017 Graz conference in recognition of her remarkable achievement in turning plain language advocacy into law. The Plain Writing Act of 2010 represents one of the most significant legislative victories for plain language anywhere in the world.

Her persistence and strategic thinking over many years demonstrated that plain language is not just a communication principle but a matter of democratic accountability.