“The Lakota Daughters,” a documentary about the trials and triumphs of girls and women of the Oglala Lakota tribe on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, won a Gracie Award in the Original Online Programming – News/Documentary category. The Alliance for Women in Media Foundation (AWMF), the organization presenting the awards, announced the winners of the 46th Annual Gracie Awards on June 9 in Los Angeles.
New York-based VOA Russian service journalist, Victoria Kupchinetsky, wrote and directed the 33-minute film, shot by cinematographer Vladimir Badikov and produced by Joy Wagner, both also with VOA Russian. The VOA team obtained rare access to the Pine Ridge Reservation, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, to film and interview the women and girls of the Lakota Nation who narrate their very personal stories.
“Congratulations to the VOA Russian team for yet another award for their documentary,” said Acting VOA Director, Yolanda López. “This prize represents a significant recognition of the caliber of VOA programs and is another example of the many compelling ways the Voice of America is telling America’s story.”
Named after the late Gracie Allen, the Gracie Awards recognize exemplary programming created by women, for women and about women in all facets of media and entertainment. The Gracies focus on women who are making positive change and who further the discussion of what a fulfilling career in media looks like.
