On April 19, Vassar College announced that renowned actress Meryl Streep ’71 would be unable to attend the Alumnae/i Association of Vassar College (AAVC) Distinguished Achievement Award Ceremony, due to pneumonia. Streep was in line to become the sixth alumna/us to receive the award in this ceremony. A series of statements were released by the College in relation to the ceremony and its postponement. AAVC President Steve Hankins ’85 and Chair of Alumnae/i Recognition Committee Amy Pullman ’71 released an email to the Vassar student body, addressed to the registrants of the ceremony, the Class of ’71 and AAVC board members.

“[Streep] wishes to convey that a bout of pneumonia is keeping her from the festivities, but she is so honored to be included in the day’s commemorations from the College that ordered her thinking, ignited her creative imagination, and gave her friends for life,” the email stated. “We are therefore postponing the bestowal of the award to a time when Ms. Streep can join us and we can properly celebrate her many accomplishments. As we look for a new date, please join us in wishing Ms. Streep a speedy recovery.”

As of now, the AAVC board has yet to release a date for the rescheduled ceremony. However, festivities will continue for the Class of ’71 to celebrate their 50th reunion. Thanks to Alvaro and Glenn for the heads-up.

Emma Thompson, Meryl Streep, Sylvester Stallone, David Harewood, Daniel Radcliffe, Sanjeev Bhaskar, Luke Evans, Benjamin Zephaniah and David Morrissey have joined a short film which calls out the UK Government’s approach to refugees. This film from the Refugee Council, scripted by writer, actor and comedian David Schneider, calls on the Government to rethink proposed laws which will criminalise refugees, like those from Ukraine, who have made their own way to the UK in a desperate search for safety. It puts the viewer in the position of a refugee – a mother, a grandmother, or a child – who has been forced from their home because of war devastating their country. It goes on to illustrate how, whatever the experience they are fleeing, these refugees could be deemed criminals under the new Nationality and Borders Bill if they have made their own way to the UK, even when no other route is available. The Nationality and Borders Bill, currently reaching the final stages in Parliament, will undermine the UK’s obligation to give all who seek asylum a fair hearing, by discriminating against refugees depending on how they reach British shores. Those forced to take dangerous journeys to the UK will be treated as criminals.

On April 21st, 2022, the Nature Conservancy California will host its Second Annual Virtual Earth Day Summit. An active forum on climate change, power alternatives, and plastic pollution, the summit will feature voices from the leading environmentalists and climate scientists like Dr. John Francis and Paul Hawken, as well as committed advocates like actor Meryl Streep and athlete John John Florence. The summit will feature panel discussions and one-on-one conversations designed to provide inspiration, science-based solutions, and actionable steps participants can take to make a difference wherever they are.

Meryl Streep is an accomplished actress, also known for her various environmental efforts. She began her environmental advocacy in the 1980’s with the Natural Resource Defense Council. In 1989, she co-founded Mother & Others, a consumer advocacy group that worked successfully for 12 years to protect the health of children and the environment and to support organic, local, and sustainable agriculture. Meryl has advocated for organizations including the Center for Climate, Health and the Global Environment at Harvard Medical School, Scenic Hudson, and the Children’s Health Environmental Coalition.

On Saturday, Meryl Streep was among the many celebrity guests to present at the 33rd Annual Producers Guild Awards in Los Angeles. A couple of pictures from the ceremony have been added to the photo gallery.

According to NBC Los Angeles, Adam McKay and Meryl Streep will join an indigenous and youth-led coalition at Pershing Square at noon Friday in downtown Los Angeles to support the Youth Climate Strike Los Angeles. The Youth Climate Los Angeles movement has targeted the California Teachers Union to divest their $20 billion pension fund from fossil fuels and will rally on March 25, the same day the CTA is supposed to be voting on their pension fund. It will also show support for the Wet’suwet’en tribe, whose territory and water supply is being threatened by the CGL pipeline. McKay said he will announce at today’s rally that his company will divest their money from City National Bank/Royal Bank of Canada if the bank does not meet the demands of the Wet’suwet’en tribe. Those in attendance are asked to wear masks. There is a live stream event on Act.tv set for Saturday starting at noon that is expected to feature Mark Ruffalo, Bill McKibben, Danny Glover and hosted by Baratunde Thurston. Many thanks to Glenn for the heads-up. Edit: The complete livestream is now available to rewatch. Meryl Streep joins the discussion at the 1:32 hours mark.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, The Producers Guild Awards has announced a star-studded lineup of presenters for Saturday night’s ceremony, with Steven Spielberg, Meryl Streep, Denis Villeneuve, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Jessica Chastain and Andrew Garfield set to take the stage. The show, held at the Fairmont Century Plaza Hotel in Century City, will also see Jamie Dornan, Michelle Yeoh, Aunjanue Ellis, Troy Kotsur, HBO chief content officer Casey Bloys, Squid Game‘s Jung Ho-yeon, Being the Ricardos‘ Linda Lavin and West Side Story‘s David Alvarez participating in the show. In the competitive categories, Being the Ricardos, Belfast, CODA, Don’t Look Up, Dune, King Richard, Licorice Pizza, The Power of the Dog,Tick, Tick … Boom! and West Side Story are up for the Darryl F. Zanuck Award for outstanding producer of theatrical motion pictures. Many thanks to Glenn for the heads-up.

A final batch of press articles on “Don’t Look Up” have been added to the photo gallery, including that wonderful editorial from Entertainment Weekly, which was featured in their February print issue. And while we’re at it, have a look at some great finds from the past, including new cover stories from the 80s, 90s and 00s. Many thanks to Alvaro for sending them all in. Enjoy reading.

Yesterday, Meryl Streep was among the many celebrity attendees at the 22d Annual AFI Awards Luncheon, where “Don’t Look Up” was celebrated as one of the best films of 2021. Pictures from the luncheon have been added to the photo gallery.

Meryl Streep was a surprise guest at yesterday’s Screen Actors Guild Awards. Together with Tyler Perry and Cate Blanchett, she presented the ensemble nomination for “Don’t Look Up” (the price later went to the cast of “CODA”). A video of their segment and a great batch of pictures from the ceremony have been added to the photo gallery.

With not much happening Streep-wise, I’ve went through the archives and have added a couple of unseen pictures to the photo gallery, including additions from the French premieres for “Kramer vs. Kramer”, “Sophie’s Choice” and “A Cry in the Dark” at the Cannes Film Festival, some lovely new promotional stills from “Still of the Night” as well as stills and deleted scenes from “Death Becomes Her”. Check the list below for all updates. Enjoy your weekend.