Oprah Winfrey, Rhea Seehorn, and 'Yellowjackets' Among Winners at 51st Gracie Awards

NEW YORK, NY – March 23, 2026 – The Alliance for Women in Media Foundation (AWMF) has unveiled the winners of the 51st Annual Gracie Awards, recognizing a diverse and powerful slate of women who are shaping the narrative across an ever-evolving media landscape. This year's honorees include industry titans Oprah Winfrey and Monica Lewinsky, acclaimed actresses Rhea Seehorn and Sarah Snook, and celebrated programs like 'Yellowjackets' and 'Dancing with the Stars'.

Hulu’s poignant documentary, Barbara Walters: Tell Me Everything, was honored with the prestigious Grand Award, reserved for productions that exhibit superior storytelling aligned with the Gracies' core mission. The film offers an intimate look at the legendary journalist who shattered conventions in broadcast news.

The national winners will be celebrated at the Gracie Awards Gala on May 19 at the Beverly Wilshire hotel in Beverly Hills. A separate Gracie Awards Luncheon will honor local and student award recipients on June 16 at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City.

"Women's stories don't just reflect the world, they shape it, shift it, and refuse to let it stay the same," said Becky Brooks, President of AWMF. "This year's honorees are doing exactly that across every platform, every format, every audience. We are proud, we are moved, and we are honored to say their names out loud."

Celebrating Storytellers Across a Shifting Media Landscape

This year’s list of winners reflects the dynamic and fragmented nature of modern media, with honorees spanning broadcast television, streaming, radio, audiobooks, and digital podcasts. The awards celebrate not just on-air talent but also the crucial work of women behind the scenes.

In television, Rhea Seehorn earned the award for Actress in a Leading Role in a Drama for Pluribus (Apple TV+), while Sarah Snook was recognized for her leading role in the Peacock limited series All Her Fault. The ensemble cast of Paramount+'s hit drama Yellowjackets also received a top honor. CNN’s Abby Phillip was named for her work as On-Air Talent in News for NewsNight with Abby Phillip, and NBC News’ Hallie Jackson was recognized as an On-Air Talent - Anchor.

The Gracie Awards also highlighted the immense contributions of female directors, writers, and showrunners. Nia DaCosta was honored for directing the feature film Hedda, and Janicza Bravo won for her directorial work on the acclaimed FX/Hulu series The Bear. Rachel Sennott was recognized as a Showrunner for her HBO Max comedy I Love LA. These awards underscore the foundation's commitment to celebrating women in every facet of production.

The winners list also demonstrates a keen awareness of the power of audio and digital platforms. Oprah Winfrey won for her work as a video podcast host on The Oprah Podcast, and Monica Lewinsky was honored for her lifestyle podcast, Reclaiming with Monica Lewinsky. In the audiobook category, Tina Knowles received an award for her narration of Matriarch. Meanwhile, an interview featuring singer Chappell Roan with Apple Music Country's Kelleigh Bannen was recognized, showcasing the awards' reach into modern music media.

Honoring a Trailblazer, Inspiring the Future

The selection of Barbara Walters: Tell Me Everything for the Grand Award for Documentary is particularly resonant. The honor celebrates not only a masterfully produced film but also the enduring legacy of its subject. Walters, who passed away in 2022, was a foundational figure for women in media, a relentless journalist who broke barriers at a time when the industry was overwhelmingly male-dominated.

This tribute to a pioneer aligns perfectly with the history of the Gracie Awards themselves. Named after Gracie Allen—the iconic radio and television star—the awards were established in 1975 to recognize the contributions of women, a mission born from the AWMF's origins as American Women in Radio and Television in 1951. By honoring Walters, the Gracies connect the struggles and triumphs of past generations with the achievements of today’s leaders, reinforcing a continuous legacy of female excellence in media.

Beyond the Gala: Fueling the Next Generation

More than just a star-studded evening, the Gracie Awards serve as the primary fundraiser for the Alliance for Women in Media Foundation's educational programs and scholarships. The proceeds from the gala and luncheon directly support initiatives designed to cultivate the next generation of female leaders in media, making the celebration a catalyst for tangible change.

These programs provide crucial financial support and mentorship. The AWMF and ESPN Scholarship, for example, offers financial aid and mentorship to Black and Hispanic female undergraduate students pursuing careers in sports media. In another partnership, the Make Her Mark Student Scholarship, created with Hallmark Media, provides a student with $7,500 and a unique mentorship opportunity to foster a career behind the camera.

Further initiatives include the Loreen Arbus Foundation & AWMF Scholarship, which supports a female student while focusing on stories related to citizens with disabilities, and a scholarship with the NCTA that empowers a student to create an original media piece. By investing in students from diverse backgrounds and with varied interests, from podcasting to sports broadcasting, the AWMF ensures that the pipeline of talent remains robust and representative of the world it seeks to cover.

A Spotlight on Local, Student, and Global Voices

While national headliners often draw the most attention, the Gracie Awards maintain a deep commitment to recognizing talent at every level. The New York luncheon in June will celebrate a wide array of local and student winners whose work forms the backbone of community journalism and represents the future of the industry.

Local television winners include powerful investigative pieces like Trafficking in the Tri-State: Rooms without Rescue from News 12 Network and documentaries such as Edenville Dam Disaster from WDIV-TV in Detroit. These awards highlight the critical role of local news in holding power to account and telling stories that directly impact communities.

In the student categories, winners from institutions like Hofstra University, the University of Missouri, and Ohio University were recognized for work spanning public affairs radio shows, investigative news features, and full news programs. These accolades provide a vital early-career boost, encouraging young women to pursue their ambitions in a competitive field.

Furthermore, the Gracies honor work that transcends borders and languages. Wins for non-English programs like Femicide Surge: Romanian Women Killed Despite Seeking Help (Antena 3 CNN) and Plaza Sésamo: Girl Talk (Sesame Workshop) underscore the global importance of stories created by, for, and about women. This inclusive approach ensures that the Gracie Awards reflect a truly worldwide media ecosystem, celebrating voices that might otherwise go unheard on a major industry stage.