The Gracies each year recognize exemplary programming created for women, by women and about women in all facets of media and entertainment, as well as individuals who have made contributions to the industry. The awards program also encourages the realistic and multifaceted portrayal of women in entertainment, commercials, news, features and other programs.

“We appreciate our judges, who came from places ranging from California to Croatia, for braving the dynamic Washington weather and donating a weekend of their time so that we could conduct a peer review of the media entries for the 2011 Gracies,” commented AWM President Erin Fuller, CAE.  “We are excited by the caliber of this year’s entries, and look forward to honoring the best and brightest for, by and about women on May 24th and 25th in Los Angeles.”

Winners will be announced in the middle of February.  National award winners will be presented at a black-tie Gala at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, Los Angeles, CA on Tuesday, May 24, 2011.  Winners of local, public, and student markets awards will be honored at the Gracies Awards Luncheon on May 25, 2011, at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel.

The Gracies are presented by the Foundation of AWM, the philanthropic arm of AWM which supports educational programs, charitable activities, public service campaigns and scholarships to benefit the public and women in the media. The Gracie Awards, established in 1975, honor 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.