New York Women in Film & Television hosted its 44th annual Muse Awards on March 27. Honorees during the event included SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher, who was recognized for her leadership during negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers last year; SAG-AFTRA members Alex Borstein, Kyra Sedgwick, Tantoo Cardinal and Millicent Simmonds; and Latasha Gillespie, Michèle Stephenson and Oscar-winner Raney Aronson-Rath. Among the industry leaders at the event were Executive Vice President Linda Powell; Vice President, Los Angeles and L.A. Local President Jodi Long; and Vice President, New York and N.Y. Local President Ezra Knight.
Drescher was unable to attend, and Powell accepted the award on her behalf and read a statement about facing personal challenges during the historic 118-day TV/Theatrical/Streaming strike in 2023 and its impact in the industry.
“Even during the most challenging weeks of 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,” she said. “I was emboldened by thoughts of future generations whose dreams of achieving sustainable livelihoods needed to be protected. As I told our 160,000 SAG-AFTRA members, it’s hard to change.
We’re in a different era now. And sometimes the best way to create a better world is to refuse to accept anything less. Know your value. Don’t go on sale.”
This item originally featured in the SAG-AFTRA summer 2024 magazine issue.