Mercedes-Benz & THR Honor Hollywood’s Power Women

Photo Credit: Getty Images for The Hollywood Reporter

Mercedes-Benz presented The Hollywood Reporter‘s 24^th Annual Women in Entertainment Breakfast on Wednesday honoring Barbra Streisand  and celebrating the many accomplishments of women in the industry.  

Robert Redford presented Streisand with The Hollywood Reporter‘s Sherry Lansing Leadership Award which recognizes female pioneers and leaders in her industry.  Speaking to the audience, Streisand implored, “Speak up until women are treated equally by the people who pay us, by the people who heal us and by the people who claim to represent us,” she said. “And remember: the more we support each other, the stronger we become.”

Prior to Streisand’s honor, Girls star Lena Dunham kicked things off at the Milk Studios-held event with a light hearted and entertaining speech stating that,  “Some girls who grew up in the ’90s dreamt of a luxury cruise with N’Sync,” adding, “but my fantasy has always been a room full of Hollywood power bitches enjoying breakfast foods.”

Sean Penn later welcomed business leader and philanthropist Melinda Gates,who delivered the keynote speech to guests.  Pointing to her daughter’s table, Gates noted how incredible it was to be able to be exposed to the experiences of so many strong women.

Nanci Ryder, accompanied by Jeffrey Katzenberg, took the stage and read a personal letter describing her own struggles and reminded the attendees to always support one another and remember the power they have.

Guests in attendance at the breakfast included Ashley Tisdale, Camila Belle, Catherine Hardwicke, Chloл Grace Moretz, Geena Davis, James Brolin, Kathy Griffin, Lea Michele, Meagan Good, Melissa Rivers, Nia Vardalos, Niecy Nash, Olivia Wilde, Pam Grier, Raquel Welch, Rita Wilson, Sarah Silverman, Selma Blair, Sherry Lansing and Tyra Banks.

Power 100 honorees in attendance included: Ann Daly, Beth Roberts, Bonnie Arnold, Bonnie Hammer, Claudia Lewis, Courteney Monroe, Dana Walden, Debbee Klein, Deborah Barak, Diane Nelson, Emma Watts, Frances Berwick, Gigi Pritzker, Gina Balian, Gwen Marcus, Hannah Minghella, Ilene Chaiken, Jana Winograde, Jeanne Newman, Jenni Konner, Jennifer Salke, Jill Soloway, Keri Putnam, Kris Jenner, Kristine Belson, Leah Weil, Lena Dunham, Leslie Siebert, Linda Lichter, Lisa Gregorian, Lori McCreary, Lorrie Bartlett, Mara Brock Akil, Marion Edwards, Megan Colligan, Melanie Cook, Mireille Soria, Nancy Josephson, Nancy Utley, Nicole Clemens, Nina Shaw, Pamela Levine, Rebecca Prentice, Rena Ronson, Rita Tuzon, Stacey Snider, Sue Kroll, Susan Rovner, Toni Howard and Vanessa Morrison.

The Hollywood Reporter also announced that it had raised $820,000 in university scholarships for the 17 high school girls who have been participating in its Women in Entertainment Mentorship Program this year.  The year-long program, now entering its seventh year, pairs high school girls from underserved communities in Los Angeles with leading figures from the entertainment industry for bi-weekly mentoring sessions. The program is a joint venture with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles. The scholarships are funded by Lifetime, Entertainment Industry Foundation, NET-A-PORTER, Sheila Johnson, Loyola Marymount University and ICM Partners.

This year, Meghan Trainor surprised three of the mentees with full four-year scholarships to attend Loyola Marymount University.  Two of the scholarships were funded by the University’s scholarship fund and the third was funded by ICM Partners and the ICM Community Partners Foundation for the first year ever.  

Photo Credit: Getty Images for The Hollywood Reporter