Former Broadway headliner and animal activist, Gretchen Wyler always used “For the animals” as part of her signature in closing any correspondence. Her great love and formidable work for the animals survives her, as last-minute touches are made in preparation for the 23rd annual Genesis Awards to be held in Hollywood on March 28th, 2009. This year Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi will be honored as joint recipients of the 2009 Wyler Award, named after this gentle Genesis Awards founder, Gretchen Wyler.