ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — A Gracie Award now shines in Western North Carolina, but for a local radio host, the honor is less about personal recognition and more about the community it represents.
“It’s not a ‘yay me’ moment,” Melanie Wilkinson, co-host of the Mix 96.5 Morning Show, said. “It’s for Western North Carolina. It’s for what happened here.”
Wilkinson received the national award for her coverage and community response following the devastating impacts of Tropical Storm Helene. The Gracie Awards, presented by the Alliance for Women in Media Foundation, honor outstanding programming created by, for and about women.
While attending the ceremony in New York City on Wednesday, Wilkinson found herself surrounded by broadcast legends like Jane Pauley and Juju Chang. But even amid star-studded company, the heart of her story remained close to home.
ASHEVILLE RADIO HOST HONORED FOR LIFESAVING HELENE COVERAGE
In memory of storm victims, Wilkinson wore a handmade flower over her heart — crafted from paper bearing the names of those lost in the disaster. “Everybody wanted to see it,” she said. “It was beautiful. Even the Alliance shared the story.”
One Mix listener later recognized her late husband’s name on the flower after seeing a photo on social media. Wilkinson plans to give the flower to the widow next week.
“She’s one of our listeners, and I had no idea he passed away in the storm until I was wearing it,” she said. “That was one of those moments that made it all meaningful.”
The paper flower also included a blank center, a symbolic tribute to those whose names may never be officially recorded.
“I’m not trying to be political,” Wilkinson said. “But I wanted to honor the ones who will never be named.”
Though she joked about broken shoes and coffee spills during her trip, Wilkinson described the event as unforgettable — a mix of glamour, grief and deep gratitude.
“People way more important than me were in that room,” she said. “But I was proud to be there, representing a small place with a loud voice.”