The New York Women in Communication's Matrix Awards honor the outstanding achievements of women within the communications industry. "Today Show" co-host Meredith Vieira will emcee the awards.

Merkerson, who most recently earned a Tony nomination for her work in the Broadway revival of Come Back, Little Sheba, will be honored alongside CNN anchor Campbell Brown, Sesame Workshop executive vice president Sherrie Rollins Westin, Deutsch Inc. CEO Linda Sawyer, DailyCandy.com founder Dana Levy, Allure Magazine editor in chief Linda Wells, The Wall Street Journal deputy bureau chief Monica Langley and 42West founder and CEO Leslee Dart.

Presenters include actors Julianne Moore and Tom Hanks, as well as NBC anchor Brian Williams, Joan Ganz Cooney, Donny Deutsch, Kurt Andersen and Paul Steiger.

In addition to Come Back, Little Sheba, Merkerson has appeared on Broadway in The Piano Lesson and Tintypes. Her numerous screen credits include "Lackawanna Blues" (Golden Globe, Emmy Award), "Law & Order," "The Closer" and "An Unexpected Life."

Previous Matrix recipients include Katie Couric, Meryl Streep, Nora Ephron, Ann Moore, Toni Morrison, Barbara Walters, Anna Deavere Smith and Anna Quindlen. Visit www.nywici.org for further information.