The Webby Awards announced Tuesday that Curb Free with Cory Lee, a travel blog by LaFayette local Cory Lee Woodard, has been named the Best Personal Blog/Website in the 23rd Annual Webby Awards. Hailed as the “Internet’s highest honor” by The New York Times, The Webby Awards, presented by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences, is the leading international awards organization honoring excellence on the Internet, said officials.
IADAS, which nominates and selects The Webby Award Winners, is comprised of digital industry experts, including Instagram’s Head of Fashion Partnerships Eva Chen, Director of Harvard’s Berkman Center for Internet & Society Susan P. Crawford, actor and activist Jesse Williams, GE CMO Linda Boff, Pod Save the People host and activist DeRay Mckesson, Google’s Head of Conversation Design Cathy Pearl, Fortnite Designer Eric Williamson, HBO Digital Chief Diane Tryneski, Los Angeles Laker Isaiah Thomas, and DDB Worldwide CEO Wendy Clark.
Cory Lee Woodard was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy at the age of two, but that certainly has not diminished his desire to travel – wheelchair and all. He has traversed six continents and blogs about his accessible (and sometimes not so accessible) travel adventures on CurbFreeWithCoryLee.com. Since starting his blog, Curb Free with Cory Lee, in 2013, he has gained nearly 60,000 followers across social media, won the Lowell Thomas Award for Best Travel Blog, and he was named the 2018 Person of the Year by New Mobility Magazine. Some of the places that he has been featured include National Geographic Travel, the Los Angeles Times, Forbes, and on Travel Channel. Cory hopes to inspire others to break out of their comfort zones and start rolling around the world.
“Curb Free with Cory Lee has set the standard for innovation and creativity on the Internet,” said Claire Graves, executive director of The Webby Awards. “This award is a testament to the skill, ingenuity, and vision of its creators.”
“I am absolutely ecstatic for my blog to be a winner in this year’s Webby Awards,” said Mr. Woodard. “This is a monumental accomplishment for not only me, but every disabled traveler out there. We’re being recognized and I cannot wait to represent us at this year’s ceremony in New York City!”
Mr. Woodard will be honored at the star-studded Webby Awards ceremony on Monday May 13, at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City, where winners will have an opportunity to deliver one of The Webby Awards’ famous 5-Word Speeches. Notable 5-Word Speeches include: Steve Wilhites “It’s Pronounced ‘Jif’ not ‘Gif’”; Bjork’s “A.E.I.O.U”; and David Letterman‘s “Thank you. Tears of joy.” Fans can follow #Webbys on social to see all the best show moments. A full list of both The Webby Awards and Webby People’s Voice Winners can be found at webbyawards.com/winners.