Filmmaker and Documentarian Beth Murphy Receives Inaugural American Women in Radio & Television ONE SHARED WORLD ^SM International Outreach Award

Award to be bestowed at Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt in Washington, DC on International Women's Day, March 8

McLean, VA – American Women in Radio and Television (AWRT) has named documentary filmmaker Beth Murphy as the recipient of the inaugural One Shared World International Outreach Award. The award – which recognizes an individual in the electronic media or allied field who has bridged borders and broken barriers to help Americans learn more, connect more or do more to support solutions that tackle global poverty – will be presented on Thursday, March 8, 2007, in conjunction with AWRT’s 2007 Leadership Summit & Business Conference, at a reception being held at the Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt in Washington, DC.

Murphy was selected for her work as director and producer of BEYOND BELIEF, a documentary film about two September 11th widows who are fighting their own war on terror by reaching out to Afghan war widows. Featured on Oprah, NBC’s Nightly News, The Today Show, and on German Television’s ZDF, the film emphasizes the need to eradicate global poverty – a breeding ground for discontent and terrorism – while educating Americans about the importance of global citizenship.

An award-winning documentary producer, director, author and a university professor, Murphy has been producing and reporting for documentaries and radio and television news for more than 18 years. 
She is the winner of a 2003 and a 2005 Gracie Award from AWRT and has twice been nominated for an Emmy. As an adjunct professor at Suffolk University and a visiting professor at American University Paris, Murphy has taught courses covering international crises, the business of international news and media ethics.

The International Outreach Award is an outgrowth of AWRT’s partnership in the One Shared World campaign. Funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Campaign seeks to connect America’s working women to the many public and private efforts that help people in developing countries overcome poverty, hunger, illiteracy and disease. More information is available at www.onesharedworld.org.

The AWRT Leadership Summit & Business Conference is an annual gathering of professionals and leaders for information exchange, professional development and networking. For more information on the 2007 AWRT Leadership Summit & Business Conference, please visit www.awrt.org.

CREDENTIALED PRESS ONLY: LIMITED PRESS PASSES ARE AVAILABLE. FOR MORE INFORMATION AND PASSES, PLEASE CONTACT AWRT’S SHAWN TAYLOR ZELMAN AT 703-506-3290.

About The Foundation of AWRT: The Foundation of AWRT is the philanthropic arm of American Women in Radio and Television, supporting educational programs, charitable activities, public service campaigns and scholarships to benefit the public, the electronic media and allied fields. The Foundation of AWRT 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 of AWRT. The Foundation supports several public service campaigns including most recently AWRT Empowering America which pays tribute to many of America’s most pioneering and inspiring women. Through this initiative, the Foundation of AWRT has adopted needy urban middle schools around the country and provided educational donations derived from collateral based on the Empowering America program. The Foundation also produces nationally acclaimed recognition programs including the Gracie Allen Awards®, a live, New York-based gala that awards exemplary programming created for, by, and about women.

About AWRT: The year 2007 marks the 56th Anniversary of American Women in Radio & Television (AWRT), the longest established professional association dedicated to advancing women in media and entertainment. AWRT carries forth its mission by educating, advocating and acting as a resource to its members and the industry at large. Founded in 1951, AWRT works to improve the quality of electronic media; promote the entry, development and advancement of women in the field; foster communication and idea exchange; and give back to the community we serve.