Passport
PBS Wisconsin wins 2024 Midwest Emmy, National Edward. R Murrow awards
November 21, 2024 Leave a Comment
PBS Wisconsin is honored to have received two Midwest Emmy Awards and two national Edward R. Murrow Awards this fall. The awards both recognize the public media organization’s commitment to creating and sharing outstanding journalism and quality programming for the state of Wisconsin.
The Midwest Emmy Awards, presented by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, celebrate excellence in regional television, while the Edward R. Murrow Awards, given by the Radio Television Digital News Association, recognize excellence in broadcast and digital journalism across the country.
During the 66th annual Chicago/Midwest Emmy Awards ceremony Nov. 2, 2024, PBS Wisconsin Education’s Electa Quinney: Mohican Teacher and Mentor, part of the Wisconsin Biographies collection, won the Emmy for Outstanding Achievement for Children/Youth/Teen – Short and Long Form Content. The animated short-form episode tells the story of Electa Quinney, a Mohican educator and mentor who is known to many as Wisconsin’s first public school teacher. She taught both Native and non-Native students together, and led her community with generosity and a commitment to education for all.
For the production of Electa Quinney: Mohican Teacher and Mentor, PBS Wisconsin Education worked to gain approval on various aspects of the project from the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohican Indians Tribal Council.
“By implementing the four values of responsibility, respect, relationality and reciprocity, PBS Wisconsin Education’s partnership with the Stockbridge-Munsee community produced a model rooted in tribal input and co-development,” said Monique Tyndall, cultural affairs director for the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohicans. “Our tribe has a wealth of creative talent. The Electa Quinney: Mohican Teacher and Mentor project gave us the agency to share such talent with the public.”
The PBS Wisconsin documentary Wisconsin Pride: Hidden Histories won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Achievement for Documentary – Historical. The first part of the two-part documentary told the story of Wisconsin’s long but hidden LGBTQ+ history full of trailblazers who – when faced with intolerance – responded by creating community, living authentically and having pride in themselves.
“The Midwest Emmy Award for Wisconsin Pride is a powerful recognition of the dedication behind this monumental project,” said Paula Bonner, Wisconsin Pride funder and Friends of PBS Wisconsin Vice President. “Originally sparked by a group of donors and Wisconsin Historical Society staff, this effort led to the publication of Richard ‘Dick’ Wagner’s two-volume history of Wisconsin’s LGBTQ communities. This project went beyond just the books: it aimed to make Wagner’s stories accessible statewide, with copies in local historical collections and schools, and provide seed funding for the PBS Wisconsin documentaries.This collaboration between Wisconsin’s Historical Society, PBS Wisconsin, Wisconsin Public Radio and educational partners across the state exemplifies the strength of Wisconsin’s public media and commitment to inclusion. It’s an extraordinary testament to the passion and community engagement that make Wisconsin a unique and supportive place.”
At the Oct. 14, 2024, national Edward R. Murrow Awards ceremony, Wisconsin in Black & White won the award for Excellence in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Small Market Television category. The series exposes racial disparities in the daily lives of Wisconsin’s Black and white residents, and was created in partnership with the Nehemiah Center for Urban Leadership Development. It was reported by Here & Now and special projects reporter Murv Seymour and Here & Now reporter Nathan Denzin.
“While many people are aware that racial justice training exists in many forms, they rarely hear about the powerful ways they can use this training in their own spheres of influence to make change,” said Rev. Dr. Alex Gee, president and founder of the Nehemiah Center for Urban Leadership Development. “Partnering with PBS Wisconsin helped us to spread that story across the state.”
And, the Wisconsin Life segment Jack the Magnificent, about a beloved miniature horse in Eau Claire, won the top award in the Feature category.
“What a wonderful story!” PBS Wisconsin viewer Becky Murphy shared when the story first aired. “Jack’s earned a new fan!”
“A great story of love, support and friendship,” viewer Deb Loken added.
