The Paley Center for Media hosted its annual Paley Honors Gala at the Ziegfeld Ballroom in New York City, recognizing leaders from media, sports, and philanthropy. This year’s event celebrated several high-profile figures, including business executive Joe Tsai, filmmaker Crystal McCrary, ABC’s Good Morning America on its 50th anniversary, and actress Lynda Carter for her iconic role as Wonder Woman, also marking 50 years.
The evening began with opening remarks from Paley Center President and CEO Maureen J. Reidy and Chairman Frank A. Bennack, Jr. They praised the honorees and emphasized the Center’s ongoing influence on culture and media.
ABC’s David Muir introduced the Good Morning America team—Robin Roberts, Michael Strahan, George Stephanopoulos, and producer Simone Swink. He described them as “superheroes” of morning television. The group reflected on the show’s long-standing bond with its viewers.
Filmmaker and writer Susan Fales-Hill introduced Crystal McCrary, who gave an emotional speech about her background and dedication to telling rich and diverse stories as a Black woman in the industry. “May we never be forgotten and, most importantly, never erased,” she said.
Lynda Carter was introduced by Wonder Woman director Patty Jenkins. Carter thanked Jenkins and actress Gal Gadot for continuing the superhero’s legacy. She shared how playing Wonder Woman gave her inner strength and offered a personal message: “If I can give anything, it would be the gift of curiosity, the gift of imagination, the gift of giving.”
