AWRT
Encyclopedia
The Alliance for Women in Media, originally the American Women in Radio and Television (AWRT), is a national non-profit organization
for female professionals in radio
, television
, and other electronic media
.
Founded in 1951, AWRT currently has several chapters across the United States
and has its headquarters McLean, Virginia
. Since its founding, AWRT has worked to improve the quality of broadcast programming and the image of women as depicted in radio, television and cable
. AWRT's mission is to advance the impact of women in the electronic media and associated industries by educating, advocating and acting as a resource to its members. The organization adopted its present name in 2010.
(NAB) discontinued its women's division, the Association of Women Directors (AWD). The NAB Board approved the development of a new organization and offered complete cooperation and assistance until the new organization could work out the details of separate operation. The following year, more than 280 women gathered to approve the structure of the new organization.
In 1960, AWRT established The Foundation of AWRT. The Foundation of AWRT supports educational programs, charitable activities, public service campaigns and scholarships to benefit the public, the electronic media and communication and associated industries.
The Foundation of AWRT annually hosts the Gracie Awards in New York City. Inspired by radio and television star Gracie Allen
, the Gracie Awards honor programming made for women, by women, and about women.
In 2010, AWRT announced their name change to the Alliance for Women in Media. Sylvia Strobel, 2010 Chair of the National Board of Directors of American Women in Radio and Television (AWRT) and the Foundation of AWRT, announced at the organization’s Annual Business Meeting on March 6, 2010 that AWRT will now be known as the Alliance for Women in Media. The name change was approved by an overwhelming majority vote of the membership in early 2010. The organization’s leadership began discussing a name change nearly two years ago as a part of its multi-year strategic planning process. A twelve-month roll out of the new name and logo is planned for
both the national organization and its local chapters.
According to the organization, new name:
Non-profit organization
Nonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...
for female professionals in radio
Radio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
, television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
, and other electronic media
Electronic media
Electronic media are media that use electronics or electromechanical energy for the end-user to access the content. This is in contrast to static media , which today are most often created electronically, but don't require electronics to be accessed by the end-user in the printed form...
.
Founded in 1951, AWRT currently has several chapters across the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and has its headquarters McLean, Virginia
McLean, Virginia
McLean is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in Fairfax County in Northern Virginia. The community had a total population of 48,115 as of the 2010 census....
. Since its founding, AWRT has worked to improve the quality of broadcast programming and the image of women as depicted in radio, television and cable
Cable
A cable is two or more wires running side by side and bonded, twisted or braided together to form a single assembly. In mechanics cables, otherwise known as wire ropes, are used for lifting, hauling and towing or conveying force through tension. In electrical engineering cables are used to carry...
. AWRT's mission is to advance the impact of women in the electronic media and associated industries by educating, advocating and acting as a resource to its members. The organization adopted its present name in 2010.
History
AWRT was formed in 1951 when the National Association of BroadcastersNational Association of Broadcasters
The National Association of Broadcasters is a trade association, workers union, and lobby group representing the interests of for-profit, over-the-air radio and television broadcasters in the United States...
(NAB) discontinued its women's division, the Association of Women Directors (AWD). The NAB Board approved the development of a new organization and offered complete cooperation and assistance until the new organization could work out the details of separate operation. The following year, more than 280 women gathered to approve the structure of the new organization.
In 1960, AWRT established The Foundation of AWRT. The Foundation of AWRT supports educational programs, charitable activities, public service campaigns and scholarships to benefit the public, the electronic media and communication and associated industries.
The Foundation of AWRT annually hosts the Gracie Awards in New York City. Inspired by radio and television star Gracie Allen
Gracie Allen
Grace Ethel Cecile Rosalie Allen , known as Gracie Allen, was an American comedian who became internationally famous as the zany partner and comic foil of husband George Burns...
, the Gracie Awards honor programming made for women, by women, and about women.
In 2010, AWRT announced their name change to the Alliance for Women in Media. Sylvia Strobel, 2010 Chair of the National Board of Directors of American Women in Radio and Television (AWRT) and the Foundation of AWRT, announced at the organization’s Annual Business Meeting on March 6, 2010 that AWRT will now be known as the Alliance for Women in Media. The name change was approved by an overwhelming majority vote of the membership in early 2010. The organization’s leadership began discussing a name change nearly two years ago as a part of its multi-year strategic planning process. A twelve-month roll out of the new name and logo is planned for
both the national organization and its local chapters.
According to the organization, new name:
- Reflects the changes in the industry and marketplace;
- Resonates with the makeup of the organization’s membership; and
- Respects the 59-year legacy of the organization.