NATIONAL
ASSOCIATION OF BROADCASTERS SALUTES THE AMERICAN WOMEN IN RADIO
AND TELEVISION WITH THE "SPIRIT OF BROADCASTING AWARD"
Recognizing 50 Years of Promoting Progress and Creating Change
(Vienna, VA, March 28, 2001) ---The Year 2001 is the 50th Anniversary
and a golden highlight for American Women in Radio and Television,
Inc. (AWRT), the oldest continuously operating nonprofit professional
association dedicated to advancing women in the electronic media
and allied fields. On Monday, April 23rd, AWRT will receive
the prestigious "Spirit of Broadcasting Award" from the National
Association of Broadcasters (NAB) during the All Industry Opening
at the NAB annual convention in Las Vegas.
The "Spirit of Broadcasting Award" honors AWRT for strengthening
the position of women in radio and television over the past
50 years. The award is presented by NAB only periodically in
recognition of general excellence and leadership to individuals
or organizations that have made lasting contributions to the
broadcast industry. Past winners include prominent industry
leaders such as Dawson B. (Tack) Nail, Vice President and Executive
Editor of Television Digest and Communications Daily (1995)
and former FCC Chairman, Robert E. Lee (1991).
"AWRT's dedication and progress in furthering the impact of
women in radio and television truly reflects the spirit of our
industry and this award," said Edward O. Fritts, NAB President
and CEO. "We look forward to saluting the accomplishments of
this fine organization at NAB 2001."
Nancy J. Logan, AWRT National President said, "We take great
pride in AWRT's history of progress and the accomplishments
of women in the media over the past 50 years. As we begin the
new millennium, we are proud to be honored by NAB and look forward
to continuing to provide a collective voice and to assist in
promoting the advancement of women in electronic media."
AWRT's 50th Anniversary Celebration was officially kicked-off
on January 24th, 2001 when AWRT hosted a celebrity super panel,
"Women of Television," during the National Association of Television
Programming Executives (NATPE) annual convention in Las Vegas.
The panel featured TV personalities: Whoopi Goldberg, Judge
Judy, Cristina Saralegui, Gloria Allred and Leeza Gibbons as
moderator.
On May 31st, AWRT will present its 26th Annual Gracie Allen
Awardsä at the Plaza Hotel in New York City. The Gracie Allen
Awardsä strive to encourage the positive and realistic portrayal
of women in entertainment, commercials, news features and other
programming. The awards program brings together industry luminaries,
broadcasting and cable professionals to celebrate the outstanding
achievements of their happy birthday daughter in law images.
The 50th Anniversary Celebration will peak in the Fall of 2001
with the release of, "Making Waves: The 50 Greatest Women in
Radio & Television," and a celebrity book launch luncheon in
New York City. The outstanding women featured in the historical
book range from Eleanor Roosevelt to Barbara Walters. The book
is being published to document and showcase the tremendous accomplishments
and contributions of the most outstanding women trailblazers
in radio and television since the infancy of the broadcast media.
For the first time, AWRT's ongoing efforts as an organization
in support of women in this competitive industry will be collected
in one publication and given due homage. Due for release in
the Fall of 2001, the book is being published by Andrews McMeel
Publishing and all royalties will go directly to benefit AWRT
to help further advance the impact of women in the electronic
media in the 21st Century.
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