Genesis Awards facts for kids
The Genesis Awards are special awards given out every year by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). They honor people in news and entertainment who create amazing works that help everyone learn more about animal issues.
The awards show happens each March in California. Many famous people have been honored, like Michael Jackson, Ellen DeGeneres, Jane Goodall, Paul McCartney, and Oprah Winfrey. Journalists, filmmakers, and news channels also receive awards.
Some special awards include the Sid Caesar Award for funny TV shows, the Doris Day Award for music, and the Gretchen Wyler Award for celebrities who use their fame to help animals.
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How the Awards Started
The Genesis Awards began in 1986. They were created by Gretchen Wyler, a Broadway actress and animal supporter. She believed that by giving awards to media creators, it would encourage them to show more stories about animals. This would help more people care about animals.
The first event was a small lunch with 140 people. Over the years, it grew into a big gala with about 800 guests. In 1991, Gretchen Wyler started an organization called the Ark Trust, Inc., to present the awards. Later, in 2002, the Ark Trust joined with the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS).
Choosing the Winners
Anyone can suggest entries for the Genesis Awards, including the public and media professionals. The awards cover many areas like TV, movies, books, radio, and music.
A special committee of 13 members decides the winners. These members are chosen because they have worked to help animals for a long time. They come from different animal protection groups and backgrounds.
The Award Ceremony
The Genesis Awards is the only event that celebrates the entertainment and news industries for helping animals. It shows how powerful media can be in changing people's minds for the better. The awards recognize great work in TV, movies, print, and art.
Many famous people have hosted the Genesis Awards, including Betty White, William Shatner, and Ellen DeGeneres. The ceremony is a big event with leaders from entertainment, news, and animal welfare groups. Celebrities like Christian Bale, Daryl Hannah, and Kristen Bell have presented awards.
The awards ceremony has been held at famous hotels in Beverly Hills and Century City. It has also been shown on TV channels like the Discovery Channel and Animal Planet. Big companies like Warner Bros. and Honda have helped sponsor the event.
Past Winners and Honorees
The Genesis Awards have honored many different types of creative works and individuals over the years. They recognize films, TV shows, documentaries, and music that highlight animal issues.
For example, movies like Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron and Finding Nemo have won for their positive messages about animals. TV shows such as The Simpsons and Everybody Loves Raymond have been recognized for episodes that raised awareness.
Musicians like Michael Jackson and Paul McCartney have received the Doris Day Music Award for songs that support animal welfare. Important figures like Jane Goodall and Tippi Hedren have also received Lifetime Achievement Awards for their dedication to animals.
The awards also celebrate news reports and documentaries that expose animal cruelty or promote animal protection. This includes shows like Animal Cops: Houston and news segments from major networks.
In recent years, films like Okja and Megan Leavey have won for their powerful stories about animals. Documentaries such as Blackfish and Sharkwater have been honored for showing important animal issues.
The Genesis Awards continue to inspire media creators to use their platforms to speak up for animals and encourage compassion.
See also
- List of American television awards
