As reported earlier, Meryl Streep was in New York City today for Newsweek and The Daily Beast’s third annual Women in the World Summit. Housed at Lincoln Center, the three-day event spotlights the urgent challenges facing women today, from forced marriage to the economic crisis to the Arab spring. The full speech has been added to the video archive and a bunch of pictures can be found in the image library. Pictures are © Marc Bryan-Brown.

In summit’s final act before Secretary of State Hillary Clinton closed out the third annual weekend’s events, Meryl Streep took to the stage to praise the women in the room and the panelists’ many achievements. She went on to compare herself – “as every woman my age has done” – to Clinton, who shares so many attributes with the film star: they both were raised in middle-class families by big-hearted mothers who encouraged them to lead interesting lives. They both went to public schools and on to prestigious all-women colleges, then Yale. “But while I became a cheerleader, Hillary became the president of her class,” Streep joked. “And there, the two paths in the woods diverged.” Streep held up her Oscar to illustrate what actresses receive for playing parts well, but, she said, “Hillary is the real deal.” When Clinton emerged onto the stage, the women shared a long embrace – sisters at the top of their fields, inspiring other women of all ages to aspire to the same.

A day after the Japan premiere, Meryl and Phyllida Lloyd have attended a press conference for “The Iron Lady” in Tokyo. And they apparently had fun. According to visitor Asako, Meryl and Phyllida tasted Sake after braking the top of Sake’s cask – wishing the “The Iron Lady” to become a hit in Japan. Over hundred additional pictures from yesterday’s premiere and today’s press conference have been added to the image library. Thanks for those who have contributed material, especially Asako and Glenn.

Today, Meryl and Phyllida Lloyd have attended the premiere of “The Iron Lady” in Tokyo, Japan. Pictures have been added to the image library. I would be very happy if any of the Japanese visitors of Simply Streep were able to provide more information on her visit. Just drop me a line. Thanks!

It has been a busy weekend for Meryl so far as she has attended the Academy Awards’ Makeup Artists and Hairstylists Symposium yesterday as well – to talk about the makeup process of “The Iron Lady”, alongside the Oscar-nominated makeup team of Marc Coulier and Roy Helland. Click below for the video and pictures from the conversation.

Yesterday, Meryl has attended the Weinstein Company’s Pre-Oscar party. A couple of pictures have been added to the image library. Also, over 100 additional pictures from the Berlin Film Festival (check the latest additions from the photocall, press conference, premiere and awards ceremony) and the Academy Awards’ Foreign Language Film Award Directors Reception have been added to the image library.

According to published reports, the lineup has been announced for the Rainforest Fund benefit concert on April 3rd at Carnegie Hall. The concert will feature Sting, Elton John, Meryl Streep, James Taylor, Katharine McPhee, Bryn Terfel, Rosanne Cash, Vince Gill and other surprise guests. In addition to the concert, there will also be a gala dinner and live and silent auctions. Tickets for the event go on sale on Monday, February 27. For more information visit www.carnegiehall.org. In 1989, Sting and Trudie Styler founded the organizations jointly known as Rainforest Foundation. Since then the Foundation has been supporting indigenous peoples and traditional populations of the rainforest in their efforts to conserve their land and defend their rights. Since 2008, the importance of rainforest protection as a contribution to preventing climate change has received much international attention. Thanks to Glenn for the news.

Meryl Streep will present at the 84th Academy Awards ceremony, telecast producers Brian Grazer and Don Mischer announced today. Streep joins a stellar list of previously announced Oscar presenters, including Halle Berry, Rose Byrne, Bradley Cooper, Tom Cruise, Penélope Cruz, Cameron Diaz, Michael Douglas, Will Ferrell, Tina Fey, Zach Galifianakis, Tom Hanks, Angelina Jolie, Milla Jovovich, Ellie Kemper, Jennifer Lopez, Melissa McCarthy, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Maya Rudolph, Emma Stone and Kristen Wiig. Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2011 will be presented on Sunday, February 26, from the Hollywood & Highland Center® and televised live by the ABC Television Network. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 225 countries worldwide.

Meryl has been in Germany to attend the Berlin International Film Festival, or Berlinale in short. Together with director Phyllida Lloyd and co-star Jim Broadbent, she has attended a photocall and premiere for “The Iron Lady”. Before the screening started, Meryl was awarded with the Honorary Golden Bear for her exceptional career. Over 300 pictures have been added to the image library. More information, pictures and videos will follow. Enjoy!

Press release courtesy The Daily Beast. From March 8 though 10, remarkable leaders from every field will gather in New York City for Newsweek & The Daily Beast’s third-annual Women in the World Summit. Hosted by Tina Brown, Diane von Furstenberg, Jane Harman, Leymah Gbowee, Sheryl Sandberg, Meryl Streep, Lauren Bush, Nizan Guanaes, Maya Harris, Mellody Hobson, and Judith Rodin, the event will feature three days of storytelling by trailblazing women, and encourage creative solutions to the challenges facing women and girls across the globe. From brave women dissidents who toppled Middle East regimes to former secretary of state Madeleine Albright on war’s harrowing impact on women; from an inspiring look at how girls are harnessing social media to transform adolescence to IMF chief Christine Lagarde on the global economy’s next act; from a hard look at domestic slavery to frank discussions with firebrands including Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, feminist icon Gloria Steinem, broadcast legends Barbara Walters and Christiane Amanpour, and activists from around the world, the 2012 summit promises to reveal the vital stories that are often ignored—and to provoke action. According to their lineup, there will be a special tribute by Meryl Streep on March 10.

According to Deadline Hollywood, Oscars host Billy Crystal, Meryl Streep, George Clooney, Tom Hanks and many others will join Jimmy Kimmel Live: After The Academy Awards live on ABC from the El Capitan Theatre on Sunday February 26th. Helen Mirren, Charlize Theron, Don Cheadle and Cold Play will also be on hand for the shenanigans that begin following the Oscarcast and local news.