Meryl Streep joined Gloria Steinem for a wide-ranging discussion at the Massachusetts Conference for Women in Boston on Thursday.
The Oscar-winning star chatted with the feminist icon and activist about a variety of topics, including her new film “The Post,” as well as the treatment of women in Hollywood and the scandals surrounding disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein. According to the People, Streep told the audience that she’s teaming up with several high-profile actresses to combat sexism in the industry.
“Right now, I’m getting together with a bunch of actresses that you all know very well, and we’re all sort of going to make a set of non-negotiable demands,” Streep said. “We’re after 50/50 by 2020.”
As for the acussations against Weinstein, the decorated actress believes that he’s just one of the more extreme examples of how workplaces across industries are affected by issues of sexual harassment.
“The thing about Harvey Weinstein is that he is sort of the most gargantuan example of a kind of disrespect that permeates every industry, every enterprise,” Streep said. “I’m not sure why. I have a lot of theories — maybe it’s in response to the women’s movement. Maybe it’s in fear of the women movement. But these abuses are about dominance.”
This isn’t the first time that beloved Hollywood star has spoken out about Weistein, who’s company has distributed several of Streep’s movies in the past, including “The Iron Lady” and “August: Osage County.” The three-time Oscar winner called the producer “disgraceful” in a statement released in October, although she also admitted that not everyone knew about Weinstein’s behavior prior to his allegations making headlines.
“The disgraceful news about Harvey Weinstein has appalled those of us whose work he championed, and those whose good and worthy causes he supported,” Streep said. “The behavior is inexcusable, but the abuse of power familiar. Each brave voice that is raised, heard and credited by our watchdog media will ultimately change the game.”
