Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment (WiT) announces that the in-person event for its Wonder Women Awards, originally set for Sunday, February 20, 2022, will be canceled due to the cancellation of Toy Fair New York and concerns over COVID 19. Instead, the organization will announce winners on March 1, 2022 via press release, and shortly thereafter, will deliver a special “Wonder Women at Home” experience to winners and honorees, with a Tribute Video to follow.
WiT also announces its esteemed 2022 Wonder Women Awards Honorees:
● Amazon as WiT Retailer of the Year, accepted by Anne Carrihill, Director, Toys & Entertainment
● Megastar JoJo Siwa will receive a WiT Icon Award
● Encantos CEO Steven Wolfe Pereira will receive WiT’s Changemaker Award
“Although our live event has been canceled, we look forward to shining a spotlight on our incredible Wonder Women, Honorees and Scholarship recipients for their outstanding achievements,” said WiT President Janice Ross. “It’s more important than ever to celebrate these extraordinary leaders in our industry who continued to make a monumental impact, even during continuing challenging times.”
The WiT Retailer of the Year Award will be presented to Amazon, for the positive impact Amazon has had on our industry and everyone’s lives. Not only have they kept the world connected with safe, crucial deliveries of toys and goods for its massive customer base during this unprecedented time, but their myriad strategic programs—including Amazon Smile, which offers customers a way to support their favorite charitable organization, at no additional cost, when they shop Smile.Amazon.com; Amazon Small Business Academy; and Amazon Black Business Accelerators—have empowered entrepreneurs, businesses and organizations with tangible resources, which have been a lifeline to countless companies and individuals.
WiT will present an Icon Award to the incredible force, JoJo Siwa. JoJo is not only a powerhouse Nickelodeon star, pop star, social media sensation, author and consumer products global brand, she is an activist, role model, and overall trailblazer in every way. She now also adds powerhouse LGBTQ+ icon for kids and adults of all ages who she has inspired throughout her journey and meteoric career.
WiT will honor Steven Wolfe Pereira with a Changemaker Award for his purpose-driven and transformative leadership in diversity and inclusion. Through his intentional actions using both his personal social influence, and the work he leads at Encantos, the public benefit corporation he co-founded, he is a visionary business leader committed to allyship, advocacy and activism to create opportunities for under-served communities, and to break down unconscious bias and inequities related to race and inclusion.
Wonder Women Awards Co-Chairs, Genna Rosenberg and Jennifer Caveza continued, “While our event may look different this year, we are committed to championing trailblazers at this year’s Wonder Women Awards, and thank our community and WiT’s generous sponsors and hands-on partners who have been incredibly supportive as we’ve needed to swiftly pivot our plans. We look forward to sharing footage of the winners and honorees in a special tribute video, and also celebrate WiT’s 30th Anniversary at regional in-person events later in the year when it’s safer to do so.”
Voting is open to all WiT members through Sunday, January 16, 2022 at 11:59 pacific time. If you are a member and did not receive your invitation to vote, or if you’d like to join WiT, contact Peg Brom at peg@womenintoys.com.
The Wonder Women Awards is an annual event that recognizes and honors remarkable leaders, entrepreneurs and changemakers for their outstanding contributions in the toy, licensing and entertainment industries.
WiT thanks its generous sponsors, including Amazon, Hasbro, Mattel, ViacomCBS, Disney, SpinMaster, LEGO, Jazwares, The Bandai Foundation, VTech, Warner Bros, and the many sponsors who provide funding and support for WiT’s year-round programming, events and initiatives, and The WiT Foundation Scholarship Program.