The Women in Cable & Telecommunications (WICT) Foundation reminded the industry that nominations for the 2005 WICT Accolades and completed PAR Initiative surveys are due Friday, May 27.  WICT also announced that Charter Communications has joined as the sixth and final member of the 2005 WICT Leadership Circle; Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Cox Communications, Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. and MTV Networks are also members of the Leadership Circle.

The 2005 Accolades will be awarded in the following categories:
• Woman of the Year
• Woman to Watch
• Tribute Accolade for Documentary/Biographical
• Tribute Accolade for Drama/Music/Variety/Comedy

An independent awards committee comprised of industry leaders and WICT Board members will review all nominations and select final winners.  For more information on the Accolades criteria and to submit nominations, visit www.wict.org.

Last year’s Accolade winners include Woman of the Year, Judy McGrath, Chairman and CEO of MTV Networks; Woman to Watch, Suzanne Keenan, Senior Vice President of Customer Service, Comcast Cable; Tribute - Documentary/Biographical- Showtime Networks for “What’s Going On: Girls’ Education in India;” Tribute - Drama/Music/Variety/Comedy – Home Box Office for “Iron Jawed Angels.”

Additionally, WICT will present the Forerunner Accolades to the Best Operator for Women in Cable and the Best Programmer for Women in Cable.  The Forerunner Accolades will be determined by the results of the WICT Foundation’s PAR Initiative.  Cox Communications received the 2004 Forerunner Accolade for Best Operator and Discovery Communications received the 2004 Forerunner Accolade for Best Programmer for Women in Cable. More information on the PAR Initiative can be found at www.wict.org.

The 2005 Accolades will be presented at the 21st Annual WICT Foundation Benefit Gala on November 16, 2005, in Washington D.C.  The WICT Foundation Benefit Gala is presented by the 2005 WICT Leadership Circle:  Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Cox Communications, Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., MTV Networks and Charter Communications.
 
About Charter Communications

Charter Communications, Inc., a broadband communications company, provides a full range of advanced broadband services to the home, including cable television on an advanced digital video programming platform via Charter Digital(tm), Charter High-Speed(tm) Internet service and Charter Telephone(tm). Charter also provides business-to-business video, Internet and Internet protocol (IP) solutions through Charter Business(tm). Advertising sales and production services are sold under the Charter Media(r) brand. More information about Charter can be found at www.charter.com

About WICT

For over twenty-five years, WICT has partnered with cable and telecommunications leaders to provide leadership programs and services, and create professional advancement opportunities for women. With over 4,500 members, Women in Cable & Telecommunications is the oldest and largest professional association serving women in the cable and telecommunications industry. WICT develops women leaders who transform our industry through highly regarded professional events, educational programming and networking opportunities. WICT has 21 local chapters and satellites across the country. For more information, visit www.wict.org.

The WICT Foundation serves as a catalyst for industry change through research, development, advocacy and education.  Its current effort, the PAR Initiative, measures and supports the advancement of industry women against the following standards:  Pay Equity, Advancement Opportunities and Resources for Work/Life Support.  Groundbreaking programs such as the PAR Initiative, and other WICT Foundation research on issues such as work/life balance and the business case for gender diversity, have inspired industry-wide advancements for women.  The Foundation’s development efforts are responsible for some of WICT's most innovative programs, particularly the Betsy Magness Leadership Institute.