Alliance for Women in Media Foundation Announces Judy Woodruff as Lifetime Achievement Honoree for 43rd Annual Gracies Luncheon

CNN’s Erica Hill to Host and Country Artist Jessie Chris to Perform
at June 27 Event at Cipriani 42^nd Street

June 5, 2018 (New York City) – The leadership of the Alliance for Women in Media Foundation (AWMF) announces that Judy Woodruff, anchor and managing editor of “PBS NewsHour,” will be honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 43^rd Annual Gracie Awards Luncheon. Hosting the luncheon will be another television news veteran, Erica Hill of CNN. The annual Gracies Luncheon honors individual achievement and outstanding programming at the local level for TV and radio, public level for radio and student level for TV, radio and interactive media. It will take place June 27 at Cipriani 42^nd Street in New York City.

The Gracie Awards recognize individual achievement and outstanding programming created by, for and about women in all facets of media and entertainment. Given this year to Woodruff, who has covered politics and other news for more than four decades, the Gracies Lifetime Achievement Award honors a woman in media who exemplifies and embodies the essence of the iconic trailblazer, the late Gracie Allen, the namesake of The Gracie Awards.

“The Gracie Awards celebrate the female storytellers who are changing the narrative and pushing boundaries in the quest toward diversity and equality,” said AWMF Chair Christine Travaglini, President, Katz Radio Group. “Since the beginning of her journalism career in 1976, Judy Woodruff’s connected, well-researched approach is consistently present and illustrates why she is so worthy of this

Lifetime Achievement Award. We at AWM and AWMF, through the Gracies, are incredibly proud to honor and celebrate outstanding talent and content for, by and about women.”

Woodruff’s award-winning career includes roles at CNN, NBC, and PBS:

•  For 12 years, she served as anchor and senior correspondent for CNN.

•  At PBS from 1983-1993, Woodruff was the chief Washington correspondent for The MacNeil/Lehrer NewsHour. From 1984-1990, she also anchored PBS’ documentary series, “Frontline with Judy Woodruff.”

•  At NBC News, Woodruff was White House correspondent for several years and served one year as Chief Washington Correspondent for “TODAY.”

•  She also anchored a monthly program for Bloomberg Television, “Conversations with Judy Woodruff.”

Among the many awards, Woodruff has received the Edward R. Murrow Lifetime Achievement Award in Broadcast Journalism/Television. She also authored the book, “This is Judy Woodruff at the White House,” published in 1982. Woodruff is a founding co-chair of the International Women’s Media Foundation, an organization dedicated to promoting and encouraging women in communication industries worldwide.

“I am thrilled to receive a Gracie from the Alliance for Women in Media, a truly pioneering organization in promoting women across the spectrum of media careers,” says Woodruff. “Since its start as AWRT, it has been dedicated to creating opportunities for women and, thankfully, we see the results all around us.”

Gracies Luncheon host Erica Hill is a TV anchor and award-winning journalist. She serves as an anchor and correspondent for CNN. Most recently, Hill anchored CNN’s Headline News, “On the Story with Erica Hill.” She was previously a co-anchor of NBC’s weekend edition of “TODAY,” and served as an anchor and correspondent for NBC News. Before joining NBC, Hill was an anchor and correspondent at CBS News.

In 2015, AWMF honored Hill with the Gracie Award for Outstanding Correspondent. “It’s an honor to host the Gracies, and to be among the most inspiring, empowering and talented women in our business,” said Hill. “I am thrilled that we will recognize the incomparable Judy Woodruff. She’s an icon, and someone I have always looked up to not only as a journalist but as a human being.”

Performing will be 2018 Billboard Artist-to-Watch Jessie Chris. Chris was the first country artist to be named “TODAY” Show Artist of The Month, and she was the youngest performer at the 2015 CMA Festival, an event she has also performed at in 2017 and 2018. Chris, the victim of extreme bullying as a student, is an anti-bullying advocate who has supported the Ad Council’s #BeMore Campaign and Disney’s #ChooseKindness campaign. This year, she will visit 100 schools across the country to speak with students about bullying and recently formed a partnership to share songs, inspirational quotes and vlogs directly with children and families through the Mazu app. Chris authored a children’s book on the subject, which will be released this summer.

The National Gracie Award honorees were recognized at the Gracies Gala, May 22, at The Beverly Wilshire in Beverly Hills. A full list of recipients may be found on the Alliance for Women in Media website. For more information about the 2018 Gracies Luncheon or to secure tickets, please visit here.

About the Alliance for Women in Media Foundation and The Gracie Awards
The Alliance for Women in Media Foundation (formerly known as The Foundation of American Women in Radio & Television) supports and promotes educational programs, and scholarships to benefit the media, the public, and allied fields. The Alliance for Women in Media Foundation has created partnerships and joint initiatives with the Emma Bowen Foundation, NCTA, NAB and other organizations that are philosophically aligned with the mission of the Foundation. In addition to giving $20,000 a year in scholarships to deserving female students, the Foundation also produces nationally acclaimed recognition programs, including the Gracie Awards that exemplary honor programming created by, for and about women.

For more information about The Alliance for Women in Media, please visit: allwomeninmedia.org and follow on Twitter, Instagram (@AllWomeninMedia) (#TheGracies), and Facebook. Sponsors of The Gracies include Ford Motor Company, Crown Media Group, CNN, CBS Corporation, Discovery, Inc., FOX Sports, NCTA – The Internet and Television Association, Premiere Networks, SiriusXM, Katz Media Group, Beasley Media Group and Entercom.

Alliance for Women in Media Foundation Presents the 43rd Annual Gracie Awards

Attendees Included Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient Rita Moreno, Performer Kelsea Ballerini, Host Lisa Joyner, and Honorees Shirley Strawberry, April Ryan and Whitney Allen

LOS ANGELES (May 23, 2018) – The Alliance for Women in Media Foundation (AWMF) handed out the 43rd Annual Gracie Awards at the Four Seasons Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Los Angeles. Host Lisa Joyner led the evening which included the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award to Rita Moreno by Norman Lear and a special performance by Grammy-nominated country music singer Kelsea Ballerini.

The Gracie Awards, which each year celebrate programming created by, for and about women across radio, television, cable and interactive media, hosted attendees including Megan Mullally, Nick Offerman, Jon Cryer, Pam Oliver, Elizabeth Smart, Loni Love, Shaun Robinson, Jeannie Mai, Gabrielle Dennis, Kevin Burkhardt, Erica Hill, Toni Trucks, Mary Louise Kelly, Robin Thede, Zerlina Maxwell, Jessica McIntosh, Tracey Wigfield, Shirley Strawberry, April Ryan, Rachel Nelson, Whitney Allen, Paula Malcomson, Jill Schlesinger and more. This year’s social media ambassador was Sweety High host Cassie DiLaura and the ceremony was executive produced by Vicangelo Bulluck. To view complete list of award recipients and honorable mentions, visit allwomeninmedia.org/gracies/award-winners.

Highlights from the evening include:

• Host Lisa Joyner kicked off the evening celebrating the strides women have made in the past year. “From the record setting attendance at the Women’s March, to the wave of sexual misconduct allegations that empowered women to speak their truth, to gender inequality and the wage gap being thrust into the spotlight. And from there, we’re about to make history this year for the record number of women running for public office.”
• Norman Lear presented the Gracies Lifetime Achievement Award to Rita Moreno saying, “Rita Moreno and her magic has made it look easy. I’m grateful to know and work with her, and be able to tell her that I love her in front of a crowd.”
• Moreno accepted the award with a moving speech: “What makes this recognition so special to me is the acknowledgement of a lifetime’s work which at 86, is a lot of life and a lot of work. This line of work demands profound endurance and the ability to control and avoid beating up Meryl Streep for getting all the stuff that you could’ve done better,” Moreno joked as the audience laughed. Reminiscing on a moment when she was ten years old dreaming of making it in the industry, Moreno said, “seventy years later, who would’ve thunk I’d be in the company of other wonderful stars? I really feel blessed.”
• Country music star Kelsea Ballerini took to the stage and brought the house down as she performed “I Hate Love Songs” and “In Between” off her new sophomore album “Unapologetically.”
• Nick Offerman took a knee on stage as he held up and presented the statuette for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy or Musical to “Will & Grace” star and wife Megan Mullally. She accepted the honor as she offered advice. “ I want to say to women and girls, you have no limitations. You can do whatever the hell you want to do,” said Mullally. “Be collaborative but do it your way, just the way you like it. Learn how to say no, but most importantly, learn how to say yes.”
• Sportscaster Kevin Burkhardt presented the award for Best On-Air Talent, Entertainment/Sports to Pam Oliver. She shared with the audience that sports and journalism were always key for success and the challenges she’s had to endure in a male-dominated industry. “You have to protect your dream,” said Oliver. “I’ve been called a bitch at least three times by head coaches but never to my face. If they ever said it to my face, it would be on!”
• Elizabeth Smart, who bravely told her abduction story through the intimate two-part biography special “Elizabeth Smart: Autobiography,” received a standing ovation from the entire room as she accepted the Gracie for Best Producer, Non-Fiction. “When I ultimately decided to tell my story, it wasn’t to put my nightmare on air. It’s because I had met other survivors,” said Smart. Though not all the victims she met had gone through kidnapping and rape, Smart said, “pain is pain, and there is always hope and you can always move forward.”
• Host of “The Real” and comedian Loni Love presented the award for Best Drama to NBC’s hit show “This Is Us.” Executive producer Elizabeth Berger, along with seven of the show’s female writers, accepted the award sharing that they “created the show about women that remind us of us” and about “moving through life with grace and dignity.”

Below, please find links to access house footage, which includes: b-roll of arrivals; interviews with honorees, the host and presenters; clips from the ceremony; and more.
Video Credit – Getty Images Video
Video: http://bit.ly/2s1he4S
Photo Credit – Getty on behalf of The Alliance for Women in Media Foundation
Photos: http://assignments.gettyimages.com/mm/nicePath/gyipa_public?nav=pr582632871

About The Gracie Awards
The Alliance for Women in Media Foundation (formerly known as The Foundation of American Women in Radio & Television) supports and promotes educational programs, and scholarships to benefit the media, the public and allied fields. The Alliance for Women in Media Foundation has created partnerships and joint initiatives with the Emma Bowen Foundation, NCTA, NAB and other organizations that are philosophically aligned with the mission of the Foundation. In addition to giving $20,000 a year away in scholarships to deserving female students, the Foundation also produces nationally acclaimed recognition programs, including the Gracie Awards that honors exemplary programming created by, for and about women. For more information about The Alliance for Women in Media please visit their website at allwomeninmedia.org and follow them on Twitter (@AllWomeninMedia), (@TheGracies), (#TheGracies) and Facebook. Sponsors of The Gracies include Ford Motor Company; Beasley Media Group, Big Time with Whitney Allen, Crown Media Group, CNN, CBS Corporation, Cumulus Media, Discovery, Inc., Entercom, FOX Sports, Katz Media Group, NCTA – The Internet and Television Association, Netflix, NPR, Premiere Networks, Sinclair Broadcast Group, SiriusXM, Sony Broadcast Television, Sun Broadcast Group, TBS, TEGNA, Universal Television, vCreative and VICE Media.

Rita Moreno to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award at 43rd Annual Gracie Awards; Lisa Joyner to Host Event

LOS ANGELES (May 2, 2018) – Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award winner Rita Moreno will be honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 43rd Annual Gracie Awards on May 22 at the Four Seasons Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Los Angeles. Five-time Emmy Award-winning broadcaster and producer Lisa Joyner will serve as host. Presented by the Alliance for Women in Media Foundation (AWMF), the Gracie Awards honor outstanding individual achievements and programming by, for and about women in television, radio and interactive media.

“Throughout her career which spans more than 70 years, Rita has redefined roles, challenged standards, and shattered barriers, reflecting values the Alliance for Women in Media Foundation admires and applauds,” said AWMF Chair Christine Travaglini, President, Katz Radio Group. “She achieved becoming the first Hispanic actress to win an Academy Award, opening doors for Hollywood hopefuls from diverse backgrounds. With Rita receiving our top accolade and Lisa, a proven and charismatic host, it’s sure to be a celebratory and empowering night for all our supporters and honorees.”

“The Gracie Award, what a delight,” said Moreno. “It’s very special to be associated with the Alliance for Women in Media Foundation by receiving this Lifetime Achievement Award. I appreciate how the Foundation promotes both the worth and work of women in media. I am especially impressed with the Foundation’s encouragement of young women students of media. This is an honor!”

“It is a privilege to host such a prestigious awards gala honoring so many incredible women in the media,” said Joyner. “The women being recognized are some of the finest in the business and collectively are shining examples for young girls today.”

Moreno belongs to an elite group of only 12 performers who have won entertainment’s grand slam of the industry’s most prestigious awards: the Oscar, Emmy, Tony and Grammy. Additionally, in December 2015 Moreno received the Kennedy Center Honor for her lifetime contributions to American culture and was the 50th recipient of the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award in 2014. Moreno currently stars in the Latino remake of Norman Lear’s classic sitcom “One Day at a Time” on Netflix and lends her voice to the character Abuelita in the children’s animated series “Nina’s World,” which airs on NBC-TV’s Sprout Network. Prior to that, she appeared in guest-starring roles in “Getting On,” “Jane The Virgin,” “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Grace and Frankie.”

Today Moreno performs concerts across the country and often appears as a guest artist with symphony orchestras. She also lectures to various organizations and university audiences on topics such as diversity and the arts, in addition to being involved with a number of civic and charitable organizations. Moreno has served on The National Endowment for the Arts, as a Commissioner for The President’s White House Fellowships, and as a member of The President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities.

Emmy Award-winning television personality and producer, Lisa Joyner, is currently co-hosting season three of TLC’s “Long Lost Family,” where she guides the show’s participants through the discovery process of finding their biological families. As an adoptee herself, she provides a unique perspective, giving her the ability to connect meaningfully with guests and help them through the emotional journey. Joyner has worked as an adoption advocate with various organizations including Raise a Child. In addition, Joyner will be co-hosting season two of TLC’s “This Is Life Live” beginning May 13. Joyner has worked at KTTV-TV and KCBS-TV as a producer and entertainment reporter, and has hosted “NFL This Morning,” ABC’s “Find My Family,” and TV Guide Channel’s “InFanity.” She is also part of a mentoring group for the San Fernando Valley Rescue Mission and sits on a committee that helps to foster inclusion and diversity in school.

Local and student award winners will be recognized at the Gracie Awards Luncheon on June 27 at Cipriani in New York City. Please visit allwomeninmedia.org to view the complete list of the 2018 Gracie Awards winners.

To apply for media credentials, please visit https://goo.gl/forms/E7s661xKhaIQfoP32.

Paying it Forward

By Rashida Jones, senior vice president for specials at NBC News and MSNBC, and 2018 Gracie Ambassador

If we’ve learned anything in the last year, we learned the power of the female voice. The power of a unified effort and how it can make change. It’s lead to change in our industry and forced organizations to take a critical look at practices that had been standard for decades. The tide is shifting. You can feel the energy change. It’s happening.

Women are demanding greater focus towards equality. People are listening. I believe the next step of this cause is far more introspective. What can YOU do to pay it forward? What can YOU do to empower someone else? How can YOU reach back to pull someone else up? The core mission of the Alliance of Women in Media is “supporting women across all media segments, to expand networks, educate and celebrate accomplishments.” How can YOU magnify that mission? After a year of the #MeToo revolution, this summer has the potential to be the year of the woman. I challenge each of you do to something mindful and intentional to pull someone else up.

• Mentor a woman with high potential.
• Speak to a group of upcoming media professionals.
• Donate to an organization that supports women in media.
• Host a networking event pairing established women in media with more junior professionals.
• Do something to deliberately impart your knowledge to someone who could use it.
• Believe in someone who needs that kind of support.

These types of acts can be life and career changing.

A few years ago I started a blog (newsroomnotes.com) to share advice with early career journalists. It was the career advice I wished I could tell my 25 year old self. It wasn’t enough; I continue to search for ways to pay it forward. The Alliance for Women in Media does exemplary work in this space. I am overwhelmingly impressed by this organization’s commitment to supporting and developing women in media and am incredibly excited to join as a Gracies Ambassador.

May the Summer of 2018 be the summer of the woman, because of the efforts we have all done to pay it forward.

43rd Annual Gracie Awards Winners Announced by the Alliance for Women in Media Foundation

HODA KOTB, ISSA RAE, JULIA LOUIS-DREYFUS, KATIE COURIC, MEGAN MULLALLY, PAM OLIVER, REESE WITHERSPOON, AND SHIRLEY STRAWBERRY AMONG HONOREES; CEREMONY TO TAKE PLACE MAY 22 IN LOS ANGELES

Local and Student Award Winners to be Honored at the Gracie Awards Luncheon on June 27 in New York City

LOS ANGELES (April 17, 2018) – The Alliance for Women in Media Foundation (AWMF) announced the winners of the 43^rd annual Gracie Awards to take place May 22 at the Four Seasons Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Los Angeles. The event will recognize such esteemed honorees as Ashley Judd, Billie Jean King, Claire Danes, Elizabeth Marvel, Hoda Kotb, Issa Rae, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Katie Couric, Megan Mullally, Pam Oliver, Reese Witherspoon, and Shirley Strawberry, along with some of the most talented women in television, radio and digital media. Local and student award winners will be recognized at the Gracie Awards Luncheon on June 27 at Cipriani in New York City.

“In a historic and momentous year for women, on and off the camera and in front of and behind the microphone, the Gracie Awards arrive at an important time to celebrate the storytellers who are changing the narrative and pushing boundaries in the quest toward diversity and equality,” said AWMF Chair Christine Travaglini, President, Katz Radio Group. “And as we enter our 43^rd year, we at AWM, through the Gracies, are incredibly proud help usher in a new era by honoring and celebrating outstanding talent and content for, by and about women.”

In the third consecutive year as Executive Producer, Vicangelo Bulluck will spotlight these prolific women in the industry who continue to inspire and support others, break down barriers, and lead by example in creating opportunity for future generations.

2018 Gracies Winners
 

Alliance for Women in Media Foundation Acknowledges 2018 Gracie Ambassador

The Alliance for Women in Media Foundation (AWMF) is pleased to partner with Rashida Jones, senior vice president for specials at NBC News and MSNBC, as its newest 2018 Gracie Ambassador.

“The Alliance for Women in Media Foundation creates educational programs and provides scholarships to benefit the public and women in media, and the Gracies is the largest annual fundraiser that supports the organization,” said Christine Travaglini, president, Katz Media Group, and chair, AWMF board. “We look forward to the input and energy that Rashida will bring to the AWM, the Gracies and this partnership.”

Rashida has nearly two decades of experience in a variety of leadership roles across broadcast, cable and local news. In her current role, she leads breaking news and major event coverage for NBC News and MSNBC. She previously served as managing editor for MSNBC’s Dayside programming, driving the editorial decision-making and coverage for the network during the six hours between 9 am and 3 pm ET. Prior to MSNBC, Rashida was the news director for the NBC affiliate in Columbia, S.C., where she rebuilt the news team to focus on deep investigative reporting. She was also director of live programming at The Weather Channel.

The Gracies Ambassador program at AWMF offers senior executives the opportunity to engage in activities related to AWMF and the annual Gracie Awards. The Gracie Ambassador program offers ways to work together that are exclusive to the Gracie Ambassador partnership level and not available through other sponsorships of the Gracies or AWMF.

Gracie Awards Garner Record Number of Entries | AWM/F Announce New Boards

February 5, 2018 (New York City/Los Angeles) The Alliance for Women in Media Foundation (AWMF) has announced that the 2018 call for entries for the annual Gracie Awards was the most successful in the program’s history.

The Gracies are the largest fundraising event by the Alliance for Women in Media Foundation, the philanthropic arm of AWM that supports educational programs, charitable activities and scholarships to benefit women in media. The milestone comes as AWM and its Foundation (AWMF) announce their 2018 National Board of Directors. New to the AWM Board are Joyce Fitch, executive vice president, general counsel and secretary, Beasley Broadcast Group, Inc., and Diane Schwartz, SVP and group publisher, Media Communications Group, Access Intelligence

“It is exciting to see so many outstanding programs and performances entered for the 2018 Gracie Awards,” said incoming AWM/AWF Chair Christine Travaglini, president, Christal Radio, New York, N.Y. “The ability to recognize the role of women in such extraordinary content is important now, more than ever.”

Chairperson-elect of AWM/F is Keisha Sutton-James, vice president, Inner City Broadcasting Corp., New York, N.Y.  Heather Cohen, executive vice president, The Weiss Agency, New York, N.Y., will serve as treasurer, while Sarah Foss, chief product officer, advertising management systems, Imagine Communications, New York, N.Y., will serve as AWM/F past chair.

The following individuals will serve as Directors at Large of AWM: Christina Barlowe Villano, vice president, strategic initiatives, Charter Communications, New York, N.Y.; Kelly DeLace Perdomo, vice president, content, sports, entertainment, and partnership marketing, SiriusXM, New York, N.Y.; Joyce Fitch, executive vice president, general counsel and secretary, Beasley Broadcast Group, Inc.; Susie Hedrick, SVP, North American sales, Wide Orbit, Inc., San Francisco, Calif.; Jinny Laderer, president, vCreative, Babson Park, Fla.; Meg LaVigne, president of television, Litton Entertainment, Charleston, S.C.; Laura Martinez, senior director, affiliate sales, Westwood One/Dial Global, Washington, D.C.; Alison Rudnick, vice president, communications, HLN, New York, N.Y.; Diane Schwartz, SVP and group publisher, media communications group, Access Intelligence; Josie Thomas, executive vice president, chief diversity and inclusion officer, CBS Corporation, New York, N.Y.; and Gayle Trotter, president, American Women’s Alliance, Washington, D.C.

The following individuals will serve as Directors at Large of AWMF: Karla Ballard Williams, founder, YING, Los Angeles, Calif.; Valerie Blackburn, project manager, Entercom Communications, NY, N.Y.; Anne Cowan, senior vice president, communications and marketing, CTAM, Washington, D.C.; Annie Howell, co-founder and managing partner, The Punch Point Group, Washington, D.C.; Christine McLaughlin, of counsel, Sciarrino & Shubert, PLLC, Washington, D.C.; Deborah Parenti, publisher, RadioInk, RBR and TVBR, Boynton Beach, Fla.; Rob Stoddard, SVP program network policy, NCTA – The Internet & Television Association, Washington, D.C.; and Kristen Welch, chief financial officer, Illustrative Mathetmatics, Washington, D.C.

The 43rd Annual Gracie Awards Gala will take place May 22, 2018, at the Beverly Wilshire, Beverly Hills, A Four Seasons Hotel, and the Gracie Awards Luncheon will be held June 27, 2018, in New York City at Cipriani 42nd Street.

The Gracies recognize exemplary programming created by, for and about women in radio, television, cable and interactive media. Honorees are selected in national, local and student markets, including both commercial and non-commercial outlets. Please visit http://allwomeninmedia.org/gracies/ for more information about the Gracie Awards, and to apply to participate as a judge.

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About the Alliance for Women in Media (AWM): The Alliance for Women in Media connects, recognizes and inspires women across the media industry. AWM is a diverse community – whether type of media, job or global location – that facilitates industry-wide collaboration, education, and innovation. Established in 1951 as American Women in Radio & Television (AWRT), AWM is the longest-established professional association dedicated to advancing women in media and entertainment. AWM harnesses the promise, passion and power of women in all forms of media to empower career development, engage in thought leadership, and drive positive change for our industry and societal progress.

About the Alliance for Women in Media Foundation: In 1960, the Alliance for Women in Media became the first professional broadcasting organization to establish an educational foundation. The Alliance for Women in Media Foundation (formerly known as The Foundation of American Women in Radio & Television) supports and promotes educational programs, charitable activities, public service campaigns and scholarships to benefit the public, the electronic media and allied fields. The Foundation also produces nationally acclaimed recognition programs, including the Gracie Awards®, honoring exemplary programming created by, for or about women and individual achievement. The Alliance for Women in Media Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit, educational organization. For the latest news on the Gracies, follow The Gracies on Twitter and Facebook. For more information about the Gracie Awards and to submit your entries, please visit www.allwomeninmedia.org/gracies.

Gracie Awards Call for Entries Extended

January 15, 2018 (New York City/Los Angeles) The Alliance for Women in Media Foundation (AWMF) has extended the call for entries for the 43^rd annual Gracie Awards to January 25, 2018, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern in response to a high volume of requests for extensions.

“Now, more than ever, we need to celebrate women for their exceptional work and contributions, especially in the media industry,” said Alliance for Women in Media Foundation Chair Sarah Foss.

The Gracies recognize exemplary programming created by, for and about women in radio, television, cable and interactive media. Honorees are selected in national, local and student markets, including both commercial and non-commercial outlets. The AWMF will accept all entries submitted after the originally published deadline of January 18 through January 25 with an additional $50 late fee.

Online/virtual judging will take place over a two-week period beginning the week of February 6, 2018. In-person judging will take place all day on Saturday, March 3, 2018, and the morning of Sunday, March 4, 2018, in New York City. The application deadline for eligible judges of the Gracie Awards is January 26, 2018. Qualified judges are chosen by the AWMF leadership after meeting specific published criteria.  Individuals are encouraged to apply through AWMF online here.

The Gracies are the largest fundraising event by the AWM Foundation, the philanthropic arm of AWM that supports educational programs, charitable activities and scholarships to benefit women in the media.

Please visit http://allwomeninmedia.org/gracies/ for more information about the Gracie Awards, to submit entries and to apply to participate as a judge.

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About the Alliance for Women in Media Foundation: In 1960, the Alliance for Women in Media became the first professional broadcasting organization to establish an educational foundation. The Alliance for Women in Media Foundation (formerly known as The Foundation of American Women in Radio & Television) supports and promotes educational programs, charitable activities, public service campaigns and scholarships to benefit the public, the electronic media and allied fields. The Foundation also produces nationally acclaimed recognition programs, including the Gracie Awards®, a gala that honors exemplary programming created by, for or about women. The Alliance for Women in Media Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit, educational organization. For the latest news on the Gracies, follow The Gracies on Twitter and Facebook. For more information about the Gracie Awards and to submit your entries, please visit www.allwomeninmedia.org/gracies.

Gracies – Now More than Ever

By Sarah Foss, AWM Board Chair

Wow. A sea of LBDs, powerful speeches, and amazing honorees. The Golden Globes will forever be seen as an inflection point. That one show reflected an awakening across the media industry—and now the corporate landscape. Whether we call it a “movement” or a “reckoning,” we are finally publically addressing the reality of gender inequality in the workplace: pay inequality, sexual harassment, and retaliation. What was once taboo is now a real discussion in boardrooms. No longer are we accepting “that’s the way it’s always been” or “it’s part of the culture” or “don’t say anything…or you’ll regret it.”

As a woman who has been in media technology for more than 25 years. I’ve seen it all. Like so many of my contemporaries and peers, we have entertaining, unbelievable, and horrific stories from our careers. IOW, #metoo.

Thankfully, I found a positive outlet to drive change a decade ago when I joined the board of the Alliance for Women in Media. This organization has been recognizing amazing women breaking ceilings, instigating change, and shifting perceptions across the media landscape for more than 60 years. The founders—prominent women media professionals in the 1950s—knew they needed to create an organization to amplify our voice. And, it’s been a powerful one.

The Gracies, an industry award program recognizing amazing content and talent by, for and about women, is in its 43rd year. Many of the Golden Globe honorees are also Gracies honorees; it’s truly a Who’s Who of trailblazers and rebels—a sisterhood of change agents that knew media had the opportunity to move societal progress forward.

Each year, as a Gracies Judge, I’ve been able to play my part in supporting the women and men who brought these stories to listeners and viewers. Winning a Gracie has helped these story tellers and content creators hear loud and clear—“This matters! Your voice is making a difference!” It’s propelled careers and given us a way to shout “Atta Girl!” for each other when our industry didn’t.

Is this “movement” or “reckoning” important? Absolutely. Is it urgent and long-overdue? Absofreakin’lutely. We as an industry have a responsibility—an obligation—to leverage our media platforms to drive progress. This is why, more than ever, The Gracies are relevant. So—here’s my ask: let’s make this Gracies a celebration of all the amazing work that women and men are doing to counterbalance the inequality and negativity. How?

1) Reach out to urge media storytellers to get involved—and submit amazing content for consideration.

2) Apply to be a Gracies judge. (Trust me – you will remember why you joined this field after participating!)

3) Join AWM to bring your voice into the organization.

4) Come to the Gracies and see for yourself. There is power and R-E-S-P-E-C-T throughout our industry.

I am grateful to the many fantastic women—and committed men—for making my career fun and fulfilling. I am humbled to be associated with the most amazing leaders on the AWM Board. And though I can say #metoo, I am damned proud to be a woman executive in media.

And yes. I’ll be wearing my LBD this coming June at The Gracies 2018. I hope to see you there.

The Year in Review

By Becky Brooks, Executive Director

Just when you think the events of another year would be predictable, along comes 2017. The highlights, situations and crises that unfolded over the past 365 days came at a dizzying pace. No one felt the whirlwind more than the media who brought the stories to life and in a few cases, were the story.

Stories of hope, tragedy and triumph have made the headlines. From the long-awaited solar eclipse where millions of people experienced a natural phenomenon through cereal boxes to anxiously awaiting the birth of April the Giraffe, to natural disasters, mass shootings, fidget spinners and countless sexual harassment allegations that have taken down some of entertainment and media’s titans. Our industry is more surprising, provocative and relevant than ever before.

At every point, women in media continuously played pivotal roles in bringing these powerful issues and stories to life. We knew about these moments because of the perseverance and dedication demonstrated by you – the drivers and supporters of content through multiple mediums.

For over 60 years, the Alliance for Women in Media has been supporting and celebrating the contributions of women through connections, education and storytelling. Born out of the National Association of Broadcasters, AWM (originally the American Women in Radio and Television) was created by a group of women who understood the need to connect within a male-dominated media world, so they could positively impact the future for other women in the profession. History is full of stories like these—stories of women who had the courage to step up, speak out and their actions have a lasting impact.

This year highlighted the influence women continue to have in media and in workplaces everywhere.

At AWM, we like to believe that our organization has been there to help those women find their voices and their important place in companies everywhere. We celebrate and salute all of you – and the men who respect, support and elevate the contributions of women in media. This includes those in front of and behind the cameras and microphones, creating environments of community and comradery.

With 2018 in sight, we each can learn and grow from the lessons so apparent in the stories that captured headlines this year. Most importantly, we have an opportunity to take action by mentoring, coaching, teaching and raising other people up, while finding and navigating our own paths forward.

We frequently use the phrase “now, more than ever”. As an organization and as an individual, now more than ever means so much more. Through my own personal losses this year, I will emulate my inspirational, strong-willed, wise and caring mother by being intentional in everything I do and say. As an organization, we will keenly focus on recognizing and celebrating the best programming and individual achievement by, for and about women through The Gracie Awards while adding educational content to our offering and introduce new ways to connect women (and men) in media.

Here’s to welcoming a New Year and wishing the world of media a healthy, happy, productive, fun-filled 2018!