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Matrix Awards

American award for achievements in media

American award for achievements in media

FieldValue
nameMatrix Awards
awarded_forExcellence in media achievements
countryUnited States
website
sponsorNew York Women in Communications, Inc.
established1930s

The Matrix Awards is an awards ceremony held annually by the New York Women in Communications, Inc. The award was created in the 1930s by Theta Sigma Phi journalism honor society and professional fraternity, later called Women in Communications, Inc. The Matrix Awards recognize exceptional women in the communications industry.

History

Theta Sigma Phi a national honor society and professional fraternity that was later called Women in Communications, Inc. (WICI) started the Matrix Awards in the 1920s to "emphasize throughout the country the achievements and of possibilities of women in journalism and authorship". Later, it purpose was expanded to recognize exceptional women in the communications industry, including advertising, the arts, books, broadcasting, entertainment, film, magazines, new media, newspapers, public relations, television, and theater. The name of the award comes from a matrix, the mold used to cast type, and represents the beginning of mass communication. The International Matrix Awards were presented by the national organization, The Matrix Awards were originally presented by Theta Sigma Phi chapters to individuals in their communities.

The New York chapter of WICI officially broke away from the national WICI organization in 1998 and became New York Women in Communications, Inc. (NYWICI) to provide its members with more localized benefits. At the time, both the WICI chapters and the NYWICI continued to present the award, with separate ceremonies that were chapter-based. The successor of WICI, the Association for Women in Communications (AWC), started the International Matrix Awards in 1998. After the dissolution of WICI national in 1996 and its successor, Association for Women in Communications, in 2023, NYWICI continues to present the Matrix Awards each year.

The awards are presented at the Matrix Awards luncheon, which also serves as a fundraiser for the New York Women in Communications Foundation to support college scholarships for communication students. In 2005, the Matrix Awards presenters included Tina Brown, Hillary Clinton, Allison Pearson, and Oprah Winfrey.

Awards

Historically, the Matrix Awards were presented in the categories of advertising, arts and entertainment, books, broadcasting, corporate communications, film/photography, magazines, marketing, newspapers, online media, public relations, radio, television, and special awards. In 2010, the categories were eliminated because they often overlapped and had been merged over time. The award now inducts women into the Matrix Awards Hall of Fame.

Some of the recipients of the Matrix Awards include the following, listed alphabetically by last name.

RecipientYearCategoryPresenting organizationReferences
Jill Abramson2006NewspapersNYWICIdate=2006-04-04title=Women Who Communicateurl=https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/women-who-communicate/access-date=2025-11-22website=CBS Newslanguage=en-US}}
Cindy Adams2007NewspapersNYWICIlast=O’Connorfirst=Mimidate=2007-04-26title=AOL Hosts Packed Matrix Awardsurl=https://www.bizbash.com/newyork/content/editorial/7626_aol_hosts_packed_matrix_awards.phpurl-status=deadarchive-url=https://archive.today/20130118013332/http://www.bizbash.com/aol_hosts_packed_matrix_awards/new-york/story/7626#selection-1221.1-1221.31archive-date=2013-01-18website=bizbash.com}}
Yamiche Alcindor2021NYWICI
Christiane Amanpour2005BroadcastingNYWICI
2008International Matrix AwardAWC
Madeline Amgott1975BroadcastingWICI New York chapter
Maya Angelou1983BooksWICI New York chapterdate=July 20, 2012orig-date=Apri 11, 1983title=Maya Angelou Matrix Awardurl=https://newsroom.ap.org/editorial-photos-videos/detail?itemid=5914f21b74a5404883a838a3cc54e7f4&mediatype=photoaccess-date=2025-11-22website=AP Newsroom}}
Awkwafina2021NYWICI
Marvella BayhWICI Indianapolis chapter
Leslie Berland2025NYWICIlast=Schoemakerfirst=Hallietitle=2025 Matrix Awardsurl=https://nywici.org/2025-matrix-awards/access-date=2025-11-24website=NYWICIlanguage=en-US}}
Halle Berry2018NYWICI
Pete Brewton1989Journalism – investigative/interpretive articleWICI Houston chapter
Mika Brzezinski2018NYWICI
Susan Brownmiller1984BooksWICI New York chapter
Devika Bulchandani2022NYWICI
Candace Bushnell2006BooksNYWICI
Rukmini Callimachi2017NYWICI
Gretchen Carlson2017NYWICI
Nkechi Okloro Carrol2025NYWICI
Kristin Chenoweth2024NYWICIlast=Brueckmanfirst=Fionatitle=2024 Matrix Awardsurl=https://nywici.org/2024-matrix-awards/access-date=2025-11-24website=NYWICIlanguage=en-US}}
Joanna Coles2013NYWICIdate=April 22, 2013title=Audra McDonald Honored with 2013 Matrix Award Todayurl=https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Audra-McDonald-to-Be-Honored-with-2013-Matrix-Award-Today-20130421access-date=2025-11-22website=BroadwayWorld.comlanguage=en}}
Beth Comstock2006Corporate CommunicationsNYWICI
Judy Corman2001Public RelationsNYWICIdate=2004-11-16title=Deaths Corman, Judyurl=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/11/16/classified/paid-notice-deaths-corman-judy.htmlaccess-date=2025-11-22work=The New York Timespage=A25language=en}}
Katie Couric2009BroadcastingNYWICI
Sheryl Crow2010NYWICIdate=2010-04-19title=Tina Fey & Sheryl Crow Break Out The Comedy After Turning Up In Similar Dressesurl=https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/national-international/tina_fey___sheryl_crow_break_out_the_comedy_after_turning_up_in_similar_dresses/1883419/access-date=2025-11-22website=NBC New Yorklanguage=en-US}}
Ann Curry2009International Matrix AwardAWC
Laurel Cutler1985AdvertisingWICI New York chapter
Geena Davis2006Arts and EntertainmentNYWICI
Angie Debo1942Oklahoma Woman of the YearTheta Sigma Phi Oklahoma chapter
Ellen DeGeneres2006Special Awards – Humanitarian AwardNYWICI
Joan Didion2007BooksNYWICI
Maureen Dowd1994NewspapersWICI New York chaptertitle=Biography: Maureen Dowdurl=https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/library/opinion/dowd/bio_dowd.htmlaccess-date=2025-11-22website=The New York Times}}
Nancy Dubuc2016NYWICI
Lena Dunham2014NYWICI
Eve Ensler2002Arts and EntertainmentNYWICI
Nora Ephron1997Film/PhotographyWICI New York chapter
Gail Evans2001International Matrix AwardAWC
Linda Fairstein2005BooksNYWICI
Edie Falco2005Arts and EntertainmentNYWICI
Rita Ferro2022NYWICI
Tina Fey2010NYWICI
Anne Finucane2013NYWICI
Moira Forbes2023NYWICI
Alix M. Freedman2004NewspapersNYWICI
Nina Garcia2024NYWICI
Nancy Gibbs2014NYWICI
Kirsten Gillibrand2015NYWICI
Ellen Goodman1999International Matrix AwardAWC
Linda Greenhouse2008NewspapersNYWICIlast=Bercovicifirst=Jeffdate=2008-04-07title=On the Scene at the Matrix Awardsurl=http://www.portfolio.com/views/blogs/mixed-media/2008/04/07/on-the-scene-at-the-matrix-awards/url-status=deadarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080408202544/http://www.portfolio.com/views/blogs/mixed-media/2008/04/07/on-the-scene-at-the-matrix-awards/archive-date=2008-04-08website=CONDÉ NAST PORTFOLIO}}
Mindy Grossman2013NYWICI
Savannah Guthrie2017NYWICI
Maggie Haberman2021NYWICI
Joan Hamburg2006RadioNYWICI
Bonnie Hammer2013NYWICI
Carla Hassan2020NYWICI
Mellody Hobson2014NYWICI
Karen Elliott House2006International Matrix AwardAWC
Arianna Huffington2007NYWICI
Lucy Jarvis1978BroadcastingWICI New York chapter
Barbara Jordan1970WICI Houston chapter
Jodi Kantor2018NYWICI
Liz Kaplow2014NYWICI
Gayle King2010NYWICI
Hoda Kotb2021NYWICI
Padma Lakshmi2019NYWICI
Debra L. Lee2015NYWICI
Cynthia Leive2006MagazinesNYWICI
Billie Letts2011International Matrix AwardAWC
Meredith Kopit Levien2024NYWICI
Marlee Matlin2022NYWICI
Kati Marton2002BooksNYWICI
Renetta McCann2006AdvertisingNYWICI
Cady McClain2017International Matrix AwardAWC
Audra McDonald2013NYWICI
Cynthia McFadden2014NYWICI
Dyllan McGee2014NYWICI
Mary McGrory1983NewspapersWICI New York chapter
Idina Menzel2011NYWICIlast=Sehgalfirst=Ujaladate=2011-04-12title=Arianna Huffington, Betty White, and Rosie O'Donnell Celebrate with the Top Women in Media at the Matrix Awardsurl=https://www.adweek.com/performance-marketing/arianna-huffington-betty-white-rosie-odonnell-matrix-awards-winners/access-date=2025-11-22website=AdWeeklanguage=en-US}}
Stephanie Mehta2022NYWICI
Jane Mayer2014NYWICI
Janice Min2014NYWICI
Andrea Mitchell2015NYWICI
Toni Morrison1992BooksWICI New York chapter
Roberta Myers2015NYWICI
Eileen S. Naughton2014NYWICI
Enid Nemy1984NewspapersWICI New York chapter
Norah O’Donnell2019NYWICI
Rosie O'Donnell2011BroadcastingNYWICI
Dawn Ostroff2021NYWICI
Jane Pauley2008International Matrix AwardAWC
Queen Latifah2014NYWICI
Anna Quindlen1988NewspapersWICI New York chapter
Jane Bryant Quinn1983MagazinesWICI New York chapter
Ruth Reichl2008MagazinesNYWICI
Diane Rehm2000International Matrix AwardAWC
Robin Roberts2008BroadcastingNYWICI
Bonnie St. John2013International Matrix AwardAWC
Sheryl Sandberg2019NYWICI
Diane Sawyer2019BroadcastingNYWICI
Dia Simms2018NYWICI
Michelle Singletary2009AWC D.C. chapter
Anna Deavere Smith2008Arts and EntertainmentNYWICI
Judy Smith2017NYWICI
Megan Smith2015NYWICI
Emily Steel2018NYWICI
Gwen Stefani2022NYWICI
Martha Stewart1996MagazinesWICI New York chapter
Meryl Streep1999Film/PhotographyNYWICI
Anne Sweeney2008TelevisionNYWICI
Kara Swisher2013NYWICI
Amy Tan1996BooksNYWICI
Tina Tchen2020NYWICI
Helen Thomas2002NewspapersNYWICI
2007International Matrix AwardAWC
Megan Twohey2018NYWICI
Meredith Vieira2007BroadcastingNYWICI
Diane von Furstenberg2008Special Award – Lifetime AchievementNYWICI
Alice Walker1986BooksWICI New York chapter
Barbara Walters1978BroadcastingWICI New York chapter
Clarissa Ward2023NYWICI
Nancy Weber2017NYWICI
Kristen Welker2025NYWICI
Betty White2011Special Award – Lifetime AchievementNYWICI
Ruth Reinke Whitney1983title=Whitney, Ruth Reinkeencyclopedia=The Scribner Encyclopedia of American Livesurl=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/CX2874800332/GPS?u=wikipedia&sid=GPS&xid=c5782f42date=2002volume=5: 1997–1999pages=616–617last2=Markoefirst2=Karenlast3=Markoefirst3=Arnoldlast1=T. Jacksonfirst1=Kennethvia=Gale In Context: Biographyurl-access=subscription}}
Anna Wintour2002MagazinesNYWICI
Judy Woodruff2003International Matrix AwardAWC
2022NYWICI
Muriel Hazel Wright1941Oklahoma Woman Writer of the YearTheta Sigma Psi Oklahoma chapter
Linda Yaccarino2020NYWICI
Bellamy Young2025NYWICI
Shelley Zalis2018NYWICI
Susan Zirinsky2020NYWICI

References

References

  1. (December 1928). "Speakers for Matrix Tables". The Matrix.
  2. Bloomgarden-Smoke, Kara. (2017-04-24). "Gretchen Carlson Reflects on Being 'the Face of Sexual Harassment' at Matrix Awards".
  3. Blyth, Myrna. (2005-04-14). "Ladies Who Lunch".
  4. Wyeth, Deirdre. "Our History".
  5. (1984-04-08). "6 Women to Receive Awards For Roles in Communications". The New York Times.
  6. (2022-02-27). "International Matrix Award". The Association for Women in Communications -.
  7. (1970-03-06). "Joint Meeting is Scheduled". The Albuquerque Tribune.
  8. (1970-04-05). "Altrusa's District Director Will Adress Local Members". Corsicana Daily Sun.
  9. Dunlap, Carol. (1970-04-05). "Women's Liberation Movement Runs Risks". The Wichita Beacon.
  10. (1970-04-08). "Columnist to be Matrix Speaker". Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
  11. (1970-05-05). "Joseph Morgenstern Defines Critic's Role". The Post-Standard.
  12. (1970-06-03). "Newark". Finger Lakes Times.
  13. (1971-02-25). "Theta Sigma Phi Honors Three". The Tampa Tribune.
  14. "May 14, 2009--Michelle Singletary and Kate Perrin to Receive 2009 Matrix Awards for Professional Achievements".
  15. de Bonvoisin, Arlane. (April 8, 2008). "The Matrix Awards".
  16. (1999-04-23). "PG Sweeps Matrix Awards". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
  17. (2022-02-27). "International Matrix Award". The Association for Women in Communications -.
  18. "History of The Association for Women in Communications".
  19. Schoemaker, Hallie. "2025 Matrix Awards".
  20. Wyeth, Deirdre. "Matrix Awards Hall of Fame".
  21. "2019 Matrix Recap".
  22. (2006-04-04). "Women Who Communicate".
  23. O’Connor, Mimi. (2007-04-26). "AOL Hosts Packed Matrix Awards".
  24. (July 20, 2012). "Maya Angelou Matrix Award".
  25. (1970-10-27). "Mrs. Birch Bayh to Campaign Here". The Kokomo Tribune.
  26. Schoemaker, Hallie. "2025 Matrix Awards".
  27. (1989-05-10). "Post Reporters Take 5 First-Place Writing Awards". The Houston Post.
  28. Brueckman, Fiona. "2024 Matrix Awards".
  29. (April 22, 2013). "Audra McDonald Honored with 2013 Matrix Award Today".
  30. (2004-11-16). "Deaths Corman, Judy". The New York Times.
  31. (2010-04-19). "Tina Fey & Sheryl Crow Break Out The Comedy After Turning Up In Similar Dresses".
  32. (1942-03-18). "Matrix Table Award Given to Historian". The Oklahoma Daily.
  33. "Biography: Maureen Dowd".
  34. Stoeffel, Kat. (2011-09-07). "Wall Street Journal Page One Editor Alix Freedman Named Reuters Ethics Editor".
  35. Bercovici, Jeff. (2008-04-07). "On the Scene at the Matrix Awards".
  36. (1970-04-26). "Matrix Awards Salute Outstanding Women". The Houston Chronicle.
  37. Sehgal, Ujala. (2011-04-12). "Arianna Huffington, Betty White, and Rosie O'Donnell Celebrate with the Top Women in Media at the Matrix Awards".
  38. (2002). "Whitney, Ruth Reinke".
  39. (1941-03-21). "Muriel Wright, Two Others Get Matrix Awards". The Daily Oklahoman.
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