As the reigning recipient of the Rosalie Award, the time has come to pass on my crown and sash. A year ago, I was honoured by the Radio Trailblazers, as they are called, with the award, which recognizes women in our industry who are seen as leaders and mentors, and who make a difference. “Haha!” I thought, “Fooled them again!” But it was, in all seriousness, a lovely honour, and as it turned out, a rather momentous occasion. I got to give a long speech, attended by all my colleagues, friends and family, and then another, much shorter speech at the Canadian Music Week Industry gala, where most of the attention went (quite rightfully) to Humanitarian Award winners Arcade Fire, whom I gawked at backstage, and Lifetime Achievement Award winner Paul Anka, whom I mistook for a wood gnome.

 

Now the time has come to recognize a new Trailblazer, and so this week I will be introducing and inducting Carmela Laurignano, a remarkable radio professional and station owner who has embraced diversity, ethnicity and inclusivity from the get go. I hope she has as much fun this week as I did last year.

 

Although Carmela would be the expert, I’m the one moderating a panel on diversity this week at CMW. We have asked six different broadcasters who come from, well, let’s say “underrepresented” backgrounds, to share their stories. They are black, Asian, Hispanic, gay, and come from stations across the country. I’m bending over backwards trying to find a way to collectively refer to these remarkable young people that isn’t a) patronizing, b) exclusive or c) stupid. As our guest panelist Denise Donlon puts it, we’re just a couple of white babes doing the best we can.

 

I am not overly involved in the actual workings of the broadcast industry. For most of my career, I’ve kind of kept my head down, and concentrated more on connecting with listeners, rather than decision makers. In other words, I’m not much of a schmoozer, but when I occasionally raise my head, I’ve come to realize that I’m one of the last ones still standing. I gave an interview recently to someone who asked me what I had to say to young women hoping to come up in this business, and it took me a moment to register that I’m not one of them anymore. I’m already there. I’ve turned into the Grand Old Lady of Radio without even noticing. Or at least one of them. And, for the record, not the oldest. Not that it matters, except it does a teeny bit.

 

In any case, I will happily hand off the crown. No, of course there isn’t a crown – wouldn’t THAT be counter-productive? Thank you, women of the Rosalie, for including me. I’m proud of all of us, and I sincerely hope that in the not too far off future, we will have no need to honour someone based on their gender, but only on their achievements.

 

I’m keeping the sash.

 

Read more Mo to Go HERE!

Have a comment? A suggestion? Just want to chat? You can email Mo here.

Listen to Darren & Mo weekday mornings from 5 to 9 on CHFI

Filed under: MoToGo