Radio stations large and small — including an iHeartMedia Adult Contemporary FM launched under RBR+TVBR and Radio Ink Publisher Deborah Parenti — celebrated International Women’s Day with special programming across Friday (3/8).
Observance of the day was seen across the radio landscape — from the largest radio operator in the nation to college radio stations across the country.
While all took their unique spin on celebrating the achievements of women, alol had one thing in common — sharing the invaluable and irreplaceable contributions of women to the industry for International Women’s Day, and Women’s History Month.
All Friday, iHeartMedia’s “Women Take the Mic” saw women leading on-air conversations across iHeartRadio music stations nationwide. In Dayton, Ohio, Parenti appeared on the WMMX “Mix 107.7” morning show in the 8am hour. She shared tales of her time leading what were stations owned by American Radio Systems and the April 1, 1993 launch of Mix. Parenti also took a moment to encourage listeners to write to their local Members of Congress in support of the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act.
In Chicago, iHeartMedia stations on March 5 hosted a leadership panel featuring local female executives and the presentation of the International Women’s Day Leadership Award to Mary Kate Daly of Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago.
iHeart CMO Gayle Troberman remarked, “Today on International Women’s Day women take the mic – highlighting the women who elevate this entire medium and connect with listeners everywhere, delivering powerful content, music, news and entertainment in authentic and inspiring ways.”
Cox Media Group also engaged in special programming. In Jacksonville, WEZI-FM “Easy 102.9“ put a spotlight on female artists with guest hosts such as Mayor Donna Deegan placed in-studio. The celebration extends to an International Women’s Day Party in the Park, with live entertainment and a female-owned vendor market.
On the college radio side, Emerson College’s WERS-FM 88.9 in Boston is dedicating its playlist entirely to female solo artists and women-fronted bands on March 8, continuing the celebration with special weekend programming. The station aims to spotlight women’s empowerment through music with a special 75-song feature at the end of March.
WERS Brand Manager Ken West said, “WERS is proud to feature Women artists as part of our music landscape every day, but International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month allows us to amplify the importance of how much they mean to the world through their music, contributions, and stories.”
Cumulus Media Chicago’s WKQX “Q101” saw host Lauren O’Neil running “The Women Who Make Q101” throughout all of March, spotlighting influential female artists in the Alternative Rock scene. This feature includes exclusive interviews and the stories behind their music.
O’Neil commented, “I am truly grateful for the opportunity to honor, amplify and celebrate the incredible Women Who Make Q101. These artists inspired me to get into radio and continue to inspire me every day.”
