Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment Presents Terry Lawler with "Made in NY" Award

NEW YORK – The Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME) honored Terry Lawler, executive director of New York Women in Film and Television (NYWIFT), with the "Made in NY" Award during the 2018 Muse Awards ceremony. Serving as NYWIFT's executive director for more than 20 years, Lawler has doubled its membership size, tripled its operating budget, and led the creation of many successful initiatives, including The Writers Lab funded by Meryl Streep, From Script to Pre-Production, Film Financing Day, and the Women Filmmakers: Immigrant Stories Series, among many others.

"I am thrilled to present Terry with the 'Made in NY' Award, which recognizes her steadfast commitment to supporting women in the City's creative community," said Media and Entertainment Commissioner Julie Menin. "The City is grateful for her more than two decades of leadership as Executive Director of New York Women in Film & Television, where she not only diversified membership across age, race and job description, but also spearheaded numerous innovative programs that provide women with more career, funding and mentoring opportunities to find success in the creative fields. Supporting equity and inclusion is more critical than ever, and Terry has been a leader in empowering and lifting up women's voices."

"I'm truly honored to be receiving the Made in NY Award at the Muse Awards this year," said New York Women in Film & Television Executive Director Terry Lawler. "After 21 years with NYWIFT, I couldn't imagine a better way to complete my hugely satisfying tenure as Executive Director. The progress we have made in helping to move women to the forefront of many entertainment mediums is something I am not only genuinely proud of, but so truly thankful for. I have loved every wonderful, challenging and rewarding moment of my stewardship. I will miss my colleagues dearly, but I know I leave the organization in marvelous and highly competent hands, and look forward to welcoming incoming Executive Director Cynthia Lopez as she takes the helm."

Established in 2006, the "Made in NY" Award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to New York City's entertainment industry over the course of their careers. Other "Made in NY" honorees include Meryl Streep, Whoopi Goldberg, Rachael Ray, Tina Fey, Spike Lee, John Leguizamo, Alysia Reiner, Michael K. Williams, Judith Light, and Sandra Lee.