Author: Julie Gortney, TOMY International Vice President of Toys
Awards season in the toy industry is a time to celebrate excellence in product, design, invention, marketing and sales. It also provides an opportunity to give back to the community and inspire the next generation of leaders. One thing I love about working with Women in Toys, Empowerment and Entertainment (WiT) is the opportunity to celebrate female excellence beyond awards season and throughout the year.
An important way for WiT to succeed is through the Ruth Handler mentoring program. Working with a mentor can have a huge impact on women and help them achieve their highest career goals. It helps mentees develop skills, improve leadership capabilities, and provides opportunities to celebrate successes with trusted sponsors. From experience, I can say that mentors can learn a lot from their mentees too! This is an opportunity for everyone to grow.
As co-president of the WiT Chicago Chapter, I enjoy celebrating achievements with local WiT members. Through our on-the-ground events, we bring women and communities together to network, discover new opportunities, build lasting relationships and promote each other throughout the year.
The omnipresent magical woman
One of my favorite ways WiT celebrates female excellence is through the Women of Wonder Awards. During the Fall Toy Preview in Los Angeles, we gathered at the historic Beverly Hilton Hotel in Hollywood to honor the outstanding entrepreneurs, thought leaders and change-makers in our industry. This event celebrates excellence while fostering connections and opportunities that last all night long. It was also a night of reflection and inspiration.
There were many memorable moments during the event, including reconnecting with mentees in our mentorship program, connecting in person with colleagues I hadn’t seen for a while, and celebrating achievements through the awards themselves. It’s great to watch the team come together to support and cheer on their members while learning new things about colleagues and other manufacturers. Of course, a highlight of the evening was celebrating and honoring Kitty Black Perkins, the designer of Mattel’s first black Barbie doll.
But there was also one truly standout moment of the night: the moment we announced the WiT Scholarship winners and they took the stage. This diverse group of strong and smart young women represents the future of our industry and may be the source of future Wonder Woman Award nominees and winners.
Yes, we are celebrating their academic and philanthropic excellence to date, but more importantly, we are all imagining what they can—and will—achieve in the future! As a WiT board member and reviewer of scholarship applicants, I am proud to be part of an organization that celebrates current members and supports the next generation.
So as we continue to take part in the awards season celebrations that recognize excellence in our industry, please take a moment to reflect on what has been achieved, but also on the pride we should feel as part of an industry that celebrates more than just excellence , also gives us opportunities.
A version of this feature was originally published in The Toy Book’s 2025 Toy of the Year (TOTY) Awards Special Issue. Click here Read the full article! Want to receive a printed copy of The Toy Book? Click here Subscription options!
