Gracie Awards Celebrate 50 Years of Honoring Women in Media

RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, May 21, 2025 | 10:05am CT

Gracie Awards

The Alliance for Women in Media Foundation (AWMF) marked a milestone 50th anniversary of the Gracie Awards on May 20 with a star-studded ceremony at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, celebrating the achievements of women who continue to shape the media industry.

Hosted by comedian and actress Fortune Feimster, the evening blended humor and heart, setting the tone for a night of inspiration and recognition. "There's nothing I enjoy more than being in a room full of women. Not because I'm gay, though that does factor into this," Feimster joked, later adding, "Representation matters-and seeing women tell the truth, challenge the system, or just make us laugh through a rough week? That changes people."

A record 160 winners were honored across television, radio, and digital media categories. Notable attendees included Norah O'Donnell, Lisa Ling, Angela Yee, Monica Lewinsky, and Megyn Price, among many others.

Among the most moving moments of the night was when CNN's Sara Sidner received the first-ever Gracie for Best Women's Health News Feature or Series for "Sara Sidner's Breast Cancer Journey." Introduced by Kyle Richards and Teddi Mellencamp, who is undergoing her own cancer battle, Sidner revealed she had undergone surgery just days earlier and urged the audience: "Please stop using [your time] to try to be perfect and look perfect... you don't have to be perfect. You just have to be you."

Jimmy Kimmel added a dose of comedy and sincerity while presenting the Writer - Unscripted award to his wife, Molly McNearney. "She is proof that becoming emotionally entangled with your boss is always a very good idea," he joked, before praising her talent and commitment to women in media.

The evening also featured a touching tribute from Jenna Dewan to Carolyn Hepburn for SC Featured: The 6-Year Plan, honoring Kobe Bryant's Mamba basketball team. Hepburn was joined onstage by four of the young athletes who fulfilled Bryant's vision by winning the state championship after his tragic passing.

Family bonds were in focus as Joey King presented the Best Ensemble Cast - Made for TV Movie award to her sister, Hunter King, and the cast of Holiday Touchdown, A Chiefs' Love Story, with their mother, Jamie King, handing them the award.

Jamie Kern Lima's acceptance speech emphasized authenticity and empowerment: "Your story doesn't have to be perfect to be powerful... You don't need permission to share your voice - you are the permission."

Throughout the evening, past scholarship winners including Fatima Moein, Lesli Foster, and Pavlina Osta shared how the Gracies changed the trajectory of their careers. Becky Brooks, President of AWMF, reminded attendees that the Gracie Awards remain the foundation's largest fundraiser, providing scholarships, mentorship, and resources to women at all career stages in media.

Performances from Grammy-winning artist Cam closed the night, while actors Dara Renee and Morgan Dudley served as Digital Impact Ambassadors, offering live updates for fans on social media.

This year's event was sponsored by Disney Entertainment, CBS News, NBC Sports, CNN, ESPN, Katz Media Group, and others. The full list of winners is available at allwomeninmedia.org.