ONCE UPON A TIME's Lana Parrilla to Host 38th Annual Gracies Gala

By: Apr. 04, 2013
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Alliance for Women in Media Foundation (AWMF) is pleased to announce Lana Parrilla, whose character Regina, the Evil Queen, rules over ABC's hit series Once Upon a Time, will serve as Host of the 38th Annual Gracie Awards Gala on Tuesday, May 21, 2013, at The Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles. The Gracie Awards (also known as "the Gracies") recognize exemplary programming created for women, by women, and about women in all facets of media, including radio, television, cable and digital media. The awards program also encourages the realistic and multifaceted portrayal of women in entertainment, news, features and other programs.

"The Alliance for Women in Media Foundation is delighted that Lana Parrilla will be hosting the 2013 Gracies," said AWMF Chair Kay Olin. "Lana is a talented and entertaining woman, and she will set the perfect tone for this year's Gracies Awards Gala."

"When women come together, work together and support one another, they are a force to be reckoned with!" said Parrilla. "I am so thrilled to participate in an event that celebrates and honors such smart, strong and inspiring women in the media."

Lana Parrilla stars in the ABC hit series Once Upon a Time. In addition to regularly playing the dual roles of the wonderfully wicked Evil Queen and the conflicTed Mayor Regina Mills, she has also played the roles of the innocent young Regina and an old hag in the Grimm's fairy tale based show.

Of Italian and Puerto Rican descent, Lana's childhood in Brooklyn, New York, led to her joy of acting and her ability to play a wide range of characters. One of Lana's earliest on-camera jobs was an appearance in the Steven Spielberg action pilot Semper Fi, shortly followed by joining the cast of the hit comedy series Spin City. Known for creating distinctive characters in quality series, she has been a regular on such critically acclaimed shows as Boomtown, playing a young paramedic, 24, as a counter-terrorist agent, and Swingtown, as a sexually progressive woman in the 1970s. Lana has also had recurring roles on such memorable shows as NYPD Blue, Six Feet Under and Lost.

"Lana has created a so many Unforgettable strong women characters," said AWMF President Erin M. Fuller, CAE. "We are thrilled to welcome Lana as the host of the Gracies."

The Gracies are presented by the Alliance for Women in Media Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Alliance for Women in Media that supports educational programs, charitable activities, public service campaigns and scholarships to benefit the public, the electronic media and allied fields. The Gracie Awards, established in 1975, honors programming and individuals of the highest caliber in all facets of radio, television, cable and digital media, including news, drama, comedy, commercials, public service, documentary and sports.

The event is made possible through the generous support of The Following sponsors: Automotive Sponsor: Ford Motor Company and Hair Sponsor: Sexy Hair. Table Sponsors: Arbitron, Charlie and Moll Anderson Family Foundation, CNN, JSW Productions, Katz Media Group, Inc., National Cable & Telecommunications Association, NBC News, ReelzChannel and Style Network; Sponsored tables are available by contacting Gracies Headquarters at 703-506-3290.

For more information about the 2013 Gracies, please visit http://www.thegracies.org. For the most up-to-date, insider information, follow the Gracie Awards on Twitter @thegracies.

About the Alliance for Women in Media (AWM): The Alliance for Women in Media advances the influence and impact of women in all forms of media. AWM is a diverse Community - whether type of media, job or global location - that facilitates industry-wide collaboration, education, and innovation. Established in 1961 as American Women in Radio & Television (AWRT), AWM is the longest-established professional association dedicated to advancing women in media and entertainment. AWM harnesses the promise, passion and power of women in all forms of media to empower career development, engage in thought leadership, and drive positive change for our industry and societal progress.

About the Alliance for Women in Media Foundation: The Alliance for Women in Media Foundation (formerly known as The Foundation of American Women in Radio & Television) supports and promotes educational programs, charitable activities, public service campaigns and scholarships to benefit the public, the electronic media and allied fields. The Alliance for Women in Media Foundation has created partnerships and joint-initiatives with the National Middle School Association, the Emma Bowen Foundation, the American Red Cross and other organizations that are philosophically aligned with the mission of the Foundation. The Foundation also supports Empowering America, an initiative which pays tribute to many of America's most pioneering and inspiring women. Through this program, the Foundation provides Empowering America educational collateral to needy urban middle schools around the country. The Foundation also produces nationally acclaimed recognition programs, including the Gracie Awards, a live gala that honors exemplary programming created for, by, and about women.



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