Lily Tomlin to Host Women's Media Center 2013 Awards

Actress and comedienne Lily Tomlin has been named to host of the 2013 Women's Media Awards, to be held on Oct. 8 at 583 Park Avenue in New York City.

"Lily embodies spirit, talent, kindness and authenticity," said Gloria Steinem, co-founder of The Women's Media Center. "If there are fifty great actors in the country, Lily may be twenty of them -- and on this night in October, you'll meet the genius behind them all. She will be using her own unique talent to celebrate the unique talent of other media women. I'm proud she will be guiding us through this night of serious fun."

The Women's Media Center, which trains women experts to work in media, does groundbreaking research and reporting on media inclusion and accuracy, produces media style guides including the first ever to cover reproductive issues and documents and reports sexualized violence as a tool of war in Syria and other conflict regions.

Each year, the Media Center Awards honors game-changers for women in media. By deciding who gets to talk, what creates the debate, who writes, and what is important enough to be visible, the media shapes our understanding of who women are and what we can be.

"I believe in the ongoing mission of the Women's Media Center, and its advocacy for women and girls worldwide to be more visible and powerful," said Tomlin. "I know from both a professional and personal experience the difference that the programs Jane, Robin and Gloria have initiated through The Women's Media Center are crucial to the way women view the world -- and the way the world views women."

Longtime friend and Women's Media Center co-founder Jane Fonda said that throughout the years, she had watched Tomlin use her fame to shine a light on important issues, particularly those that help and promote women.

"In addition to Lily's comic (and dramatic) genius, her deep dedication to women's rights and social-justice activism is important and inspiring," added Robin Morgan, co-funder of The Women's Media Center.

The Women's Media Center exists to change the status of women in media. Because 51 percent of our population are women and only 3 percent of all clout positions in media are held by women, the Women's Media Center Awards were created to honor champions for women who use their media platforms to tell the stories, facts and solutions crucial to all viewers and to advance opportunities for women in media.

"Because media tells our stories and influences the role of women in every part of society, we are proud to honor these amazing women who set the standard for what media should look like when it gives voice to the female half of the country," said Women's Media Center co-founder Julie Burton.