A pair of Florida State University School of Communication alumnae accepted a Gracie Award® from the Alliance for Women in Media (AWM) Foundation on June 11 in New York City for their work through Sachs Media on a campaign against child sexual abuse.

Michelle Ubben (M.A. ’88), partner and chief operating officer of Sachs Media, and Jessica Clark (B.S. ‘10), project manager of campaigns and branding, were honored in the category of Outstanding Interview Program or Feature for Intimate Crimes: The Inside Story of Child Sexual Abuse.

The 30-minute program, which aired statewide in Florida last year on network affiliate television stations, featured an exclusive interview with an incarcerated pedophile, using his stories of coercion as a thread throughout the program to document how predators take advantage of families’ vulnerabilities and groom children and parents for abuse. The program also highlighted five heart-rending stories of men and women who had been abused as children, exploring the pressures that kept them silent and their daily struggles on the road to survival.

“To be honored for creating programming that is relevant and important to women as judged by an esteemed panel of women in media makes this award especially meaningful,” Ubben said. “It’s a great blessing to be able to create campaigns that have a positive impact on people’s lives.”

The Gracies are presented by the AWM Foundation, the philanthropic arm of AWM which supports educational programs, charitable activities, public service campaigns and scholarships to benefit the public and women in the media. The Gracie Awards, established in 1975, honor programming and individuals of the highest caliber in all facets of radio, television, cable and web-based media, including news, drama, comedy, public service, documentary and sports.

The Alliance for Women in Media advances the influence and impact of women in all forms of media. AWM is a diverse community – whether type of media, job or global location – that facilitates industry-wide collaboration, education, and innovation. Established in 1961 as American Women in Radio & Television, AWM is the longest-established professional association dedicated to advancing women in media and entertainment. AWM harnesses the promise, passion and power of women in all forms of media to empower career development, engage in thought leadership, and drive positive change for our industry and societal progress.