Elizabeth Taylor New York Women in Film & Television hosted its 44th annual Muse Awards on Wednesday afternoon in New York City.
More than 700 guests gathered at Cipriani 42nd Street to celebrate the achievements of honorees Fran Drescher, Alex Borstein, Kyra Sedgwick, Tantoo Cardinal, Latasha Gillespie, Millicent Simmonds, Michèle Stephenson and Oscar-winner Raney Aronson-Rath.
SAG-AFTRA executive vice president, Linda Powell, accepted an award on behalf of Drescher, who wasn’t able to make it to the gala due to her father’s recent death.
Powell read directly from a statement written by the SAG-AFTRA president, who pointed out personal challenges she faced in 2023 during the historic Hollywood strikes. “I couldn’t escape the misogyny that plagued press coverage of the strike and our negotiations,” Drescher wrote. “It was disgusting, but I refused and will always refuse to conform to masculine expectations. “Even during the most challenging weeks at that strike, I remained inspired by those thousands who came to the picket lines and raised their voices refusing to allow changing technology and business models to displace their ability to have a career in the performing arts,” “The Nanny” star continued. “I was emboldened by thoughts of future generations whose dreams of achieving sustainable livelihoods needed to be protected.
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