Gracie Awards 2025: Honoring Five Decades of Empowering Women in Media
The Alliance for Women in Media Foundation (AWMF) had a very significant milestone recently — the 50th Annual Gracie Awards Luncheon — which took place on June 18 at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City. The Gracie Awards Luncheon, recognizing the best work by, for, and about women in media, drew many of the biggest names in the business.
Juju Chang, Emmy -winning co-anchor of ABC News’ Nightline served as the host and had a great gang of presenters: Boomer Esiason WFAN; Medha Gandhi iHeartMedia; Erica Hill CNN; Vicky Nguyen NBC News; Jamie Morris KJOY 98.3; and Jess Sims ESPN.
The afternoon culminated in a heartfelt moment when CBS Sunday Morning anchor Jane Pauley presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to her longtime friend and colleague, Martha Teichner, celebrated journalist and storyteller from CBS.
“This 50th season of the Gracie Awards has been nothing short of extraordinary,” said AWMF President Becky Brooks. “We’ve honored both legends and rising stars, while reaffirming our mission to amplify women’s contributions in media—for today, and for the next 50 years.”
A Tribute to Trailblazers and Tomorrow’s Leaders
From student journalists to seasoned broadcasters, the event spotlighted voices shaping the future of media.
Katina Arnold, AWMF Board Chair and ESPN’s VP of Corporate Communications, opened the ceremony with an empowering message:
“This is a powerful era of progress, where women are telling stories that reflect the depth of our experiences.”
Throughout the event, presenters echoed the importance of women’s voices:
Vicky Nguyen praised student honorees as “the future of journalism.”
Jess Sims emphasized mentorship with the reminder, “A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle.”
Medha Gandhi reflected on her own journey
“I stopped trying to fit in—and learned it was okay to stand out and just be me.”
Ashley Williams, Hallmark actress and founder of Make Her Mark, emotionally recognized scholarship recipient Raha Amirfazli, calling her “a beacon of resilience and creativity.”
Veteran broadcaster Erica Hill reminded attendees that:
“Local journalism—despite its challenges—remains the bedrock of democracy.”
And in one of the most moving moments of the afternoon, Martha Teichner, accepting her Lifetime Achievement Award, reflected on a life spent in service of storytelling:
“I wasn’t chasing fame. I wanted a platform to tell stories that matter—to get the words right, and make them memorable.”
A Legacy of Empowerment
The Gracie Awards Luncheon also served as a reminder of the power of support networks and recognition. Annie Howell, Chief Communications Officer at Hallmark and AWM Board Member, spoke passionately about scholarships as “a bridge for women striving to turn their vision into reality.”
The event closed with a call to action, encouraging continued support through the Gracies Gift & Gala Giveaway, helping fund future opportunities for women in media.
Sponsors of this landmark event included ABC News, CBS News, Disney Entertainment, ESPN, Hallmark Media, iHeartMedia, and many more.
For readers in India, the Gracie Awards stand as a global reminder: when women are given a platform, they don’t just speak—they soar. As we celebrate this golden milestone, we look forward to the next 50 years of fearless storytelling.
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