INSPIRATIONAL OLDER ADULT: MERYL STREEP

BY BRIDGET KERNAN

ALL ABOUT STREEP

• Meryl Streep was born Mary Louise Streep on June 22, 1949 in Summit, New Jersey.

• She graduated from Vassar College in 1971 and Yale University School of Drama in 1975. She also briefly attended Dartmouth College.

• Since the 1970s, Streep has appeared in dozens of roles on screen and stage, and she is considered by many as one of the greatest actors of all time.

• Her most notable roles include The Deer Hunter, Kramer vs. Kramer, Sophie’s Choice, Out of Africa, The Bridges of Madison County, The Devil Wears Prada, Doubt, The Iron Lady, August: Osage County, and Into the Woods.

• Throughout her career, she has obtained 259 award nominations and has won 171 times.

MAKING HER MARK ON HISTORY

• Streep has received 19 Academy Award nominations - more than any other actor. She has won three times, making her one of only six actors to ever accomplish such a feat.

Best Actress in Supporting RoleKramer vs. Kramer

Won in 1980

Best Actress in Leading RoleSophie’s Choice

Won in 1983

Best Actress in Leading RoleThe Iron LadyWon in 2012

MAKING HER MARK ON HISTORY

• Aside from her contributions to film, television, and stage, Streep has donated her time and resources to several women-focused campaigns and organizations, including: • The National Women's

History Museum• Women in the World

Foundation • Chime for Change

STILL A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH

At age 66, Streep is relatively new to the 65 and up club, but that doesn’t make her contributions any less impactful. She continues to be an inspiration, with several notable achievements in the past year.

• November 2014: Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama for her acting contributions

STILL A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH

• January 2015: Received Oscar nomination for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for Into the Woods

• April 2015: Funded the Writers Lab, a development program for female screenwriters over the age of 40

STILL A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH

• June 2015: Wrote letters to every member of Congress, encouraging them to support the Equal Rights Amendment, which aims to establish equal rights for women

“I am writing to ask you to stand up for equality – for your mother, your daughter,

your sister, your wife or yourself – by actively supporting the Equal Rights Amendment.”

- Excerpt from Streep’s letter to those in Congress

STILL A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH

• All the while, Streep continues to make films. Two of her most recent works, Suffragette and Ricki and the Flash, are scheduled to be released later this year. Five other projects are also currently in development.

KEY STRENGTH: MEMORY

• At age 66, Streep continues to memorize her lines – including what to say, when to say it, and what to do - as well as recall feedback from directors in order to accurately portray various characters. In 2015 alone, she has successfully done this by contributing to several films, most of which are still in development.

KEY STRENGTH: VALUES

• Streep also continues to display strong values by contributing to organizations and campaigns geared towards empowering women. Specifically within the past year, she has funded the Writers Lab and helped push for the Equal Rights Amendment.

STREEP ON AGING

”You have to embrace getting older. Life is precious, and when you've lost a lot of people, you realize each day is a gift.”

SOURCES

• http://www.lifetimetv.co.uk/biography/biography-meryl-streep• https://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2014/11/10/

president-obama-announces-presidential-medal-freedom-recipients • http://oscar.go.com/nominees • http://www.forbes.com/sites/kathycaprino/

2015/04/23/meryl-streep-supports-a-groundbreaking-new-screenwriters-lab-for-women-over-40/ • http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000658/