Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio, Inc. will present the 2024 MIW Airblazer Award to Premiere Networks’ syndicated evening host Delilah at Morning Show Boot Camp on Friday, August 9.
The MIW Airblazer Award has been given out annually at Morning Show Boot Camp since 2015. The recipient is chosen by the previous year’s recipient in recognition for her dedication and contributions to the broadcast industry and to the communities she serves.
In selecting Delilah, Dana Cortez stated, “I’m beyond excited to announce I have chosen Delilah as this year’s Airblazer Award from Mentoring and Inspiring Women in Radio. Listening to Delilah gave me chills and learning about her career in radio gave me inspiration. The ceilings she broke through have opened up opportunity for every woman who has ever dreamed of a career behind the mic. Now everyone sing 🎶DE LIIIII LAAAHHHHH🎵.”
Delilah said, I’m honored to be recognized by MIW and MSBC and awarded with the Airblazer Award this year, joining a group of very talented women who’ve also received this award. I do my very best to stay true to my audience relationship and provide the best one-on-one communication I know how. If my actions inspire other women on the air to do the same, then I’m all more humbled by this recognition”.
Delilah began her career at 1030 KDUN in her hometown of Reedsport OR and purchased the station in May 2021 to save it from extinction. Her career took off when she joined KLSY Seattle as evening host in 1983 and debuted “Lights Out” the following year where listeners shared their stories as part of requests. After time at stations including KJR Seattle, WVBF Boston, and WMGK Philadelphia, what was first called “Delilah After Dark” entered syndication in 1996 and has been syndicated by Premiere Networks since 2004.
The 2024 Airblazer Award joins previous awards including being inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in 2016, the NAB Broadcast Hall of Fame in 2017, and the inaugural Gracies Icon Award in 2023. She has also written four books, has fifteen children (12 of which were adopted), and established the Point Hope foundation in 2004 to assist children and mothers in Ghana and in the U.S. foster system.
MIW Board President Ruth Presslaff commented, “Delilah’s dedication to the radio industry, to children, and to communities far and wide has rightfully garnered an impressive collection of awards. MIW is proud to add Airblazer to the list. We are, as always, appreciative of Don Anthony for partnering with us on recognizing extraordinary women broadcasters.”
Previous Airblazer Award recipients were:
- 2015 – Ellen K
- 2016 – Angie Martinez
- 2017 – Roula Christia
- 2018 – Mercedes Martinez
- 2019 – Kellie Rasberry
- 2020 – Angela Yee
- 2021 – DeDe McGuire
- 2022 – Patty Steele
- 2023 – Dana Cortez
