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Updated: June 11, 2009, 5:02 pm	Share    Print    Email

Niecy Nash, Ruby Gettinger, Kathy Griffin, Suze Orman and Rachael Ray attend the 2009 Gracie Awards. Photos by Douglas Harrington

Kelly Bensimon of "The Real Housewives of New York City."

New York City - Even on a rainy evening, the neon lights are bright on Broadway. No better attested to than the gathering of show business luminaries that walked the red carpet on June 3 at the Marriott Marquis for the 34th Annual Gracies Gala presented by American Women in Radio and Television (AWRT) honoring individuals that deserve recognition for "exemplary programming created for women, by women, and about women in all facets of electronic media, including radio, television, cable and new media."

The event began in classic show biz style with a series of limos pulling up in a drizzle that only an impressionist artist could have wished for, as the distant visual of celebrities scurrying beneath umbrellas blurred into the panorama of the Broadway theater district backdrop and the frenetic pace of pedestrians dodging raindrops.

The Gracie Awards were founded in 1975 and are presented by the Foundation of AWRT, the philanthropic arm of AWRT that supports educational programs, charitable activities, public service campaigns and scholarships. The 2009 title sponsor of the event was Dove cosmetics and their Campaign for Real Beauty, of which their was plenty as the entertainment industry's brilliant and beautiful women, and men, gathered to recognize the achievements of their peers and colleagues.

ESPN's Hanna Storm with daughter Ellery.

The evening's most distinguished honor was bestowed upon MTV Networks Chairwoman and CEO Judy McGrath, who received the 2009 Foundation of AWRT Achievement Award. As AWRT President Maria E. Brennan noted, "Judy McGrath's cultural vision and business acumen have helped build MTV Networks into an international multi-platform success story. Her extraordinary achievements have set a strong example and raised the bar for women everywhere."

McGrath is a true American success story, literally starting at the bottom and working her way up, as she began her career at MTV writing on-air promos. Her response to the award recognized the importance of the organization that was honoring her, "Women in media have an imperative to break down barriers, and we can find that strength in numbers. It's an honor for MTV Networks to be recognized by the AWRT, a galvanizing force for the many brilliant and talented women in our industry."

Among the evening's other Gracie winners were Dr. Maya Angelou for Outstanding Radio Host, Katie Couric for Outstanding Anchor, Candy Crowley for Outstanding Hard News Feature, Ruby Gettinger for

Veteran newsman and host of "Face The Nation" Bob Schieffer.

Outstanding Reality Show, Kathy Griffin for Outstanding Female Lead in Comedy, Jane Pauley for Outstanding Public Affairs and Suze Orman for Outstanding Talk Show Host to name but a few of the event's honorees. Not an exclusive all girls club, as some of the boys in the industry took home a few Gracies of their own, Brian Scott for Outstanding Investigative Program and Bob Dotson for Outstanding Hard News Feature, for example.

Following their walks along the red carpet, attendees gathered for a cocktail reception before entering the Marquis' main ballroom for dinner and the awards ceremony, which was hosted by Niecy Nash of the Style Network's "Clean House" and Comedy Central's "Reno 911." The 2009 AWRT Gracie Awards, an evening filled with glamor, style and well deserved recognition for women who profoundly impact an industry that has an impact on all of us.