11th Annual Broken Glass Awards honors women in TV and Film
RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. -
Monday, November 4 marks the 11th annual Palm Springs Broken Glass Awards. This event honors women in TV and film.
News Channel 3’s Caitlin Thropay was at the event and spoke with this year's honorees as they came down the red carpet.
The 2019 notable honorees are actress Sierra McCormick who received the Rising Star Award, local artistic director for the Palm Springs International Film Festival and ShortFest, Lilli Rodriguez received the Desert Diva Award, Philanthropist, Melissa Neiderman received the Humanitarian Award, actress Virginia Madsen received the Gena Award and talent manager Dolores Robinson received the Broken Glass Award.
The awards honor extraordinary women who have broken through the glass ceiling, helping pave the way for others in entertainment, arts and philanthropy.
"It's really refreshing to see women honoring other women," McCormick told News Channel 3's Caitlin Thropay.
The luncheon and fundraiser was emceed by News Channel 3 Anchor Karen Devine. The event was at Agua Caliente Casino Resort & spa in Rancho Mirage.
Philanthropist, Melissa Neiderman shared advice she would give to other women looking to break through their own glass ceilings in their industry. "My advice is to always have an incredible support system around you," Neiderman said. "If you don't have a strong family, make one with all the friends that you have and you have to be lucky to live in a community like we do here," she added.
Actress, Virginia Madsen told us about her own journey to breaking through the glass ceiling for women in film. "Breaking the glass ceiling didn't happen to me until I was 50," Madsen said. "It's important to help the younger people that are coming up and give them a hand and tell them yes you can," she said.
And during the event, an emotional moment as a tribute played on the scene to the life of former Palm Springs Women in Film and TV President, Denise Dubarry Hay, who passed away in March.
Hay's daughter, Whitney Hay presented three scholarships to local high school students who plan to pursue careers in the arts.
