11th Annual She Rocks Awards

The Women's International Music Network (the WiMN) celebrated the 11th annual She Rocks Awards at The Ranch in Anaheim, California on April 17, 2023. It was an exhilarating night of celebrating music and creativity, and honoring the careers and accomplishments of a diverse and inspiring group of women representing all areas of the music industry. The She Rocks Awards pays tribute to women who have displayed leadership, excellence and whose work has had an impact on making the music and audio industry more inclusive.

The celebration began with a performance by The Beaches, a band based in Toronto and winner of the Juno Award for Rock Album of the Year in 2022. Laura Whitmore, founder of the Women's International Music Network (the WiMN) and co-producer of the She Rocks Awards gave opening remarks. After this, Legend Award honoree Judy Collins quoted Mae West in her acceptance speech and lead the entire room in an acapella version of "Amazing Grace."

The 2023 She Rocks Honorees gave inspiring, empowering speeches throughout the night. GRAMMY-nominated, multi-platinum hit songwriter and "Dreaming Out Loud" Honoree Shelly Peiken encouraged the crowd "to not be afraid to grow up."

Powerhouse Honoree Noelle Scaggs, of Fitz & the Tantrums, spoke on her inspiration for starting the organization Diversify the Stage, "I wanted young people to feel like they had a place in the industry," she said.

Champion Award honoree, COO of the School of Rock Stacey Ryan, spoke about the work needed to be done to elevate more women into executive positions, and the importance of organizations like the Women's International Music Network, for mentoring young up-and-coming women in the music industry.

The 11th Annual 2023 She Rocks Awards Honorees:

"Legend Award" Judy Collins - Platinum-selling singer/songwriter icon whose landmark 1967 album, Wildflowers, has been entered into the GRAMMY Hall of Fame

"Powerhouse Award" Noelle Scaggs - Co-frontperson for the multi-platinum band, Fitz and the Tantrums and founder of Diversify the Stage

"Dreaming Out Loud Award" Shelly Peiken - GRAMMY-nominated, chart-topping hit songwriter

"Tone Setter Award" Mary Spender - guitarist, singer, songwriter, and Youtube star

"Mad Skills Award" Michelle Bell - VP of Creative for Roc Nation

"Vision Award" Lisa S. Johnson - photographer and author of 108 Rock Star Guitars and Immortal Axes

"Groundbreaker Award" Katherine Wing - VP of Marketing for Roland, drummer

"Champion Award" Stacey Ryan - Chief Operating Officer for School of Rock

"Excellence Award" Helen Culleton - Chief Operating Officer for Audiotonix

"Inspire Award" Gretchen Menn - guitarist and founding member of Zepparella

"Heart and Soul" Brad Tolinski - a surprise honor for this former Guitar World editor and book author

Visit the Women's International Music Network at theWiMN.com.