Miss Piggy wins feminist award
June 4, 2015
Miss Piggy is to receive her First Award on Thursday night at the #link:http://www.brooklynmuseum.org/calendar/event/8642:Brooklyn Museum in New York.# The Sackler Center said on its website that it was honoring "performer, actor, writer, and icon Miss Piggy, for more than 40 years of blazing feminist trails with determination and humor."
When the award was announced at the end of April, Miss Piggy was credited with saying "Moi is thrilled but frankly, not surprised to be receiving this Sackler Center First Award. It is truly wonderful to be celebrated and share this honor with fellow legends, role models and pioneers of female fabulosity."
At Thursday's ceremony, her co-star from the Muppets, Kermit the Frog, will watch the proceedings from the front row of the theater. The evening will include a 20-minute video retrospective of Miss Piggy's career.
The center, which opened at the Brooklyn Museum in 2007, was founded by Elizabeth Sackler who last year became the first female board chair of the museum.
Sackler said that all First Award recipients were "symbols in addition to being extraordinary, intelligent leaders."
Other recipients have included former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, Tony Award-winning director Julie Taymor and opera singer Jessye Norman.
The award is to be presented by Elizabeth Sackler and American feminist, journalist and activist Gloria Steinem. It was designed by American feminist artist Judy Chicago.
The Sackler Center began its First Awards in 2012, for the fifth anniversary of the center's opening at the Brooklyn Museum. One woman is honored each year. They provide "an opportunity to isolate and to honor women who have broken barriers and to hear them speak" according to Sackler.
After Miss Piggy's speech, she will be on stage in conversation with Gloria Steinem.
"In spite of what some people might perceive as obstacles - being a pig, being maybe a little overweight - (Miss Piggy) nonetheless has this extraordinary sense of self," Sackler said.
jm/kms (dpa, ARD)