The History of
the Alliance for Women in Media

Edythe Meserand (1908-1997) began her broadcasting career in 1926 at NBC.  Later while working at WOR-Radio, New York, she founded the first radio newsroom. Meserand also was the first in broadcasting history to produce a true radio documentary. She also organized the station's enduring Children's Christmas Fund Drive.

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Meserand was a founding member of American Women in Radio and Television (AWRT) and served as the first President from 1951-1952.

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AWRT was founded in response to a decision by the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) to dissolve its "women's division." Some of the female members of NAB then formed AWRT to protect the voice of women in the broadcasting industry.

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Eventually the AWRT adopted the new name, Alliance for Women in Media, to encompass the entire media industry,