New York, NY, May 18, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On May 17, The Paley Center for Media brought together dozens of luminaries, icons, and pioneers for an unforgettable evening to celebrate the numerous achievements made by women in the television industry. The Paley Honors: Celebrating Women in Television Presented by Verizon, took attendees through a nostalgic journey of over eight decades of television history. With the support of the famous Paley Archive, women’s achievements across all genres were celebrated, along with some of today’s most popular television programs proudly produced by the biggest networks and studios in the world. Additionally, the Paley Center feted the expansion of the Women’s Collection within the Paley Archive, the nation’s largest publicly accessible archive of television and radio programming, and announced a second major event celebrating women in television to take place at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel on October 12, 2017.
Tonight’s star-studded event brimmed with images and stories told by a wide array of female presenters across television genres including drama, comedy, news, talk, sports, variety, and music, covering eight decades. The night’s participants included María Celeste Arrarás, Lauren Graham, Dorothy Hamill, Mariska Hargitay, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Julianna Margulies, Chrissy Metz, Tracee Ellis Ross, María Elena Salinas, Marlo Thomas, and Paula Zahn. The Paley Center closed the festive evening with Tracee Ellis Ross paying special tribute to the legacy of Carol Burnett for her memorable on-screen performances, including The Carol Burnett Show and various musical specials.
“Tonight we demonstrate how television, more than any other medium, serves to shatter stereotypes, educate audiences and bring people together,” said Maureen J. Reidy, President & CEO of The Paley Center for Media. “We are so proud to celebrate the pioneering entertainers, groundbreaking series, and current hit shows that have sparked conversations, and thrilled generations.”
Among the many special moments from the evening are the following remarks by some of the participants of The Paley Honors: Celebrating Women in Television Presented by Verizon:
Marlo Thomas: “Here’s a tidbit you might now know…the first woman to ever sign a network contract was actress and model Dorothy Knapp. In late 1930, she was hired to give beauty talks on the NBC-TV station (W2XBS) in New York. Women truly have been part of television since it started. But what takes my breath away is how much our roles have changed on TV over these eight decades – much like they’ve changed in our world.”
Mariska Hargitay on the Importance of Female Characters on Television: “Having played strong female characters for most of my acting career, I have witnessed, first hand, the incredible impact television has on society as a whole. Lives are transformed, hearts are mended and minds are opened, often for the first time because of something someone watched on television.”
Chrissy Metz on the Intersection of Television and Music: “Nowhere else but on TV would we have been able to watch, up close and personal, Judy Garland and Barbra Streisand, two of the greatest voices ever in this world, belt out “Happy Days are Here Again” together. Or see Beyonce and Katy Perry and Madonna and Lady Gaga perform in a spectacular show of fireworks and talent at the Super Bowl without actually being there.”
Carol Burnett: “Each one of you knows if you believe you can do something and work hard, you can make a difference -- in television and in the world. And as long as I’m still standing, I’m going to keep on laughing – and hope you all will too. God knows we need it these days.”
Verizon served as Presenting Sponsor, further demonstrating their commitment to promote educational opportunities for young girls and boys in STEM fields through The Verizon Foundation. “Verizon is incredibly proud to celebrate the remarkable achievements of women in television and media,” said Rose Kirk, President of The Verizon Foundation. “More than ever, women, whether in entertainment or the sciences, are driving social change by reshaping and redefining their roles in our culture.”
21st Century Fox, Hearst, and The Loreen Arbus Foundation served as co-chairs. Host Committee included: FreeWheel, NBA/WNBA, Tishman Speyer, Viacom & BET, The Walt Disney Company. Patron supporters of the evening included: A + E Networks, AMC Networks, CBS Corporation/Showtime Networks, Inc, Comcast NBCUniversal, Deloitte & Touche LLP, ESPN, Heidrick & Struggles, ION Media, IPG, Mutual of America, JW Marriott Essex House New York, Publicis Worldwide, SESAC, STARZ, and Univision Communications, Inc.
Paley Center President & CEO Maureen J. Reidy and Executive Vice President of Programming Diane Lewis led the production team. The evening’s program was curated with the assistance and counsel of the Paley Center’s advisory organization, and Terry Lawler, Executive Director of New York Women in Film in Television, who served as special advisor and was joined by veteran TV producer, Heidi Palarz who served as producer.
As part of an ongoing commitment to diversity in the Paley Center’s programming, the funds raised from the Paley Honors will support the expansion of the Women’s Collection in the Paley Archive, the nation’s largest publicly accessible archive of television and radio programming. The Women’s Collection will be preserved in perpetuity and used to educate scholars, students, the creative community, and the general public.
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About The Paley Center for Media
The Paley Center for Media, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with locations in New York and Los Angeles, leads the discussion about the cultural, creative, and social significance of television, radio, and emerging platforms for the professional community and media-interested public. Drawing upon its curatorial expertise, an international collection, and close relationships with the leaders of the media community, the Paley Center examines the intersections between media and society. The general public can access the Paley Center’s permanent media collection which contains over 160,000 television and radio programs and advertisements, and participate in programs that explore and celebrate the creativity, the innovations, the personalities, and the leaders who are shaping media. Through the global programs of its Media Council and International Council, the Paley Center also serves as a neutral setting where media professionals can engage in discussion and debate about the evolving media landscape. Previously known as The Museum of Television & Radio, the Paley Center was founded in 1975 by William S. Paley, a pioneering innovator in the industry. For more information, please visit paleycenter.org
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