The Alliance for Women in Media Foundation Presented the 41st Annual Gracie Awards to a Full House at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel

The Alliance for Women in Media Foundation Presented the 41st Annual Gracie Awards to a Full House at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel

LOS ANGELES, May 25, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Last night The Alliance for Women in Media Foundation handed out the 41(st) Annual Gracie Awards to a packed house at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills. First-time host Marika Domi czyk led the show like a veteran eliciting laughs from the audience and keeping them engaged. The Gracie Awards were presented to honorees which were previously announced on March 21, 2016 (view full list of honorees here) in recognition of their successes in the media industry.

https://photos.prnewswire.com/prnvar/20160525/372119

The ceremony, led by executive producer Vicangelo Bulluck and featuring a production team with a female director, female assistant director, female stage manager and an all-female camera crew, hosted honorees like Lifetime Achievement Honoree Lynda Carter, Mindy Kaling, Allison Janney, Kathie Lee Gifford and more, while presenters and additional guests in attendance included Octavia Spencer, Scott Foley, Marilu Henner, Melissa Rivers, Maureen "Mo" Langan, Andrea Navedo, Danica McKellar, Lesley-Ann Brandt and more.

Highlights from the show include:


-- Allison Janney, after being presented her award by Octavia Spencer for
her work on Mom, gave a warm-hearted speech around her admiration of the
Alliance for Women in Media for recognizing her work on a show that
celebrates women, stating that "women who find that getting through all
of the ups and downs of life, they find it easier to get through it
leaning on each other. That's what we do as women. That's what we should
do. It makes us stronger and more powerful."


-- Mindy Kaling took a light-hearted approach on an issue very important:
pay inequality. "For years and years, the role of a lead actress on a
sitcom was to do two things: look amazing and make one-third of what my
co male star makes." She continued, "I want to be clear. I do always
look amazing on the show, and no man on that show makes more money than
me."


-- 2016 Gracies Lifetime Achievement Award recipient and original Wonder
Woman Lynda Carter received nothing short of a standing ovation when she
was presented with the top honor of the evening. She touched on
trailblazing women she looked up to like Lucille Ball, Carol Burnett and
legendary stuntwoman Jeannie Epper, and expressed that the idea of her
as a role model and "the fact that I may have inspired [young women]
makes me happy."


-- Kathie Lee Gifford gave an acceptance speech thanking the broad audience
who has accepted and supported her. "I am so grateful that I found an
audience that let me be me. That let me share my ups and downs. That
their heart broke when my heart broke. And they laughed at my stupid
jokes and they forgave me when I made mistakes. And I cannot tell you
how deeply grateful I am." She finished by dedicating her award to her
late husband Frank Gifford pointing to the sky and announcing, "This is
for you, honey. You made me laugh."
-- Grammy Award-nominee Andra Day took to the stage for the unforgettable
performance of the evening. Day brought the house down and the audience
to their feet as she gave a flawless and empowering performance of her
single Rise Up from her album "Cheers to the Fall."
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160525/372119



SOURCE Alliance for Women in Media Foundation

Photo:https://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160525/372119
http://photoarchive.ap.org/
Photo:https://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160525/372119
http://photoarchive.ap.org/
Alliance for Women in Media Foundation

CONTACT: Michael Samonte, Sunshine Sachs, 323-822-9300, gracies@sunshinesachs.com

Web Site: http://www.allwomeninmedia.org


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