Any media awards show in Hollywood can be a star-studded event, but it’s much more significant when the awards are given for a special interest group that have come together to celebrate their own. It’s especially true when the event celebrates women in media, as the always-celebrated beauty and glamour of women in the industry share the stage with the creative talent that has become so vital to media programming today.
The Alliance for Women in Media Foundation (AWMF) celebrated their own at the glamorous Beverly Hilton Hotel for the 37th Annual Gracie Awards on May 23, honoring and recognizing the finest programming created for, by and about women in all facets of media, including radio, television, cable and new media. The Gracie Awards, established in 1975 and named for Gracie Allen, honors programming and individuals of the highest caliber in all facets of radio, television, cable and web-based media, including news, drama, comedy, commercials, public service, documentary and sports.
The work that women do in media may go unnoticed on a day-to-day basis, especially for those involved behind the scenes, but the significance of women’s contributions in media is staggering when all of the creative talent is assembled in one place and their work applauded. The Gracie Awards is always one of the most inspiring and energetic award events of the year.
The 2012 Gracie Awards were hosted by the very funny and Emmy® Award-winning actress Angela Kinsey of NBC’s “The Office,†and included performances by Hannah Mclalwain of Oxygen’s “The Glee Project†and Vicci Martinez of NBC’s “The Voice.â€
The glitzy black-tie extravaganza was attended by some of the most amazingly talented women in the entertainment industry, and awards were given to honorees including the Premiere Network’s Delilah; TNT Rizzoli & Isles’ Lorraine Bracco; ABC Grey Anatomy’s Loretta Devine; Best-selling author and Food Network’s Giada de Laurentiis; Academy-Award winner Sally Field; NBC News/Today Show’s Savannah Guthrie; TNT Rizzoli & Isles’ Angie Harmon; RLTV’s Florence Henderson; NBC Chuck’s Zachary Levi; ABC Family Switched at Birth’s Constance Marie; Academy-Award winner Marlee Matlin; E! and Style Network’s Giuliana Rancic; Access Hollywood’s Shaun Robinson; CNN Early Start’s Zoraida Sambolin; USA Network Fairly Legal’s Sarah Shahi; Miss Representation’s Jennifer Siebel Newsom; CBS CSI’s Elisabeth Shue; ESPN’s Hannah Storm and ABC Modern Family’s Ariel Winter. These were just a few of the women attending the star-studded event, which filled the Beverly Hilton’s International Ballroom. “The Gracies Gala is a wonderful event, and the Alliance for Women in Media Foundation is proud to recognize such extraordinary women,†said AWMF Chair Valerie K. Blackburn. “It’s an honor to be in this community of talented women who are so committed to creating innovative, intelligent and insightful programming.â€
The Gracies are presented by the philanthropic arm of the Alliance for Women in Media, which supports educational programs, charitable activities, public service campaigns and scholarships to benefit the public, the electronic media and associated fields. Over the years they have received generous support from corporate sponsors that include A+E Networks/Lifetime, Arbitron, Inc., Beasley Broadcast Group, Inc., CBS News, CNN, Disney/ABC Television Group, E! Networks, ESPN/espnW, Food Network/Cooking Channel, Ford Motor Company Fund, Katz Media Group, Inc., National Association of Broadcasters/NABEF, NBC News, Oxygen Media, Premiere Networks, and RLTV; Media Partner: Ovation; Beauty Sponsor: Sexy Hair; Wine Sponsor: House of Mandela.
It is always inspiring to see in one place so many of the contributors that have enhanced the media universe for us. In acceptance speeches, award winners told of being inspired and mentored by great women in their lives, and spoke about being able to tell their daughters that anything is possible for them. In this exciting new world of media, truly anything is possible.
