HOLLYWOOD HITS HUB FOR WOMEN’S SUMMIT
A-listers lined up for event
The Massachusetts Conference for Women is happening tomorrow at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center and the sold-out event is bringing some major names to the Hub.
Hollywood is showing up strong, with the lineup of keynote speakers including Academy Award-winning actresses Meryl Streep and Viola Davis. Most recently, Streep has wrapped on “Mary Poppins Returns” and “Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again,” which are both in post-production. Meanwhile, Davis continues to crush it as Professor Annalise Keating on ABC’s hit show “How to Get Away with Murder,” now in its fourth season.
Joining Streep and Davis on the roster of keynotes: famed fashion designer, philanthropist and author Diane von Furstenberg, as well as Adam Grant, a Wharton professor who co-wrote “Option B: Facing Adversity, Building Resilience, and Finding Joy” alongside Facebook exec Sheryl Sandberg.
Gloria Steinem — notable writer, political activist and feminist — is giving a talk, in addition to helping to kick off the conference with today’s opening night activities.
Bethenny Frankel, whom you likely know from the “Real Housewives of New York City,” will be also hanging around the happenings. The reality TV star founded Skinnygirl Cocktails and, as of late, has been seriously involved in disaster relief efforts in Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria.
Then, there’s comedian, actress and writer Phoebe Robinson. The NYC-based comic is most noted for her WNYC podcast with Jessica William called “2 Dope Queens,” which is the basis of an upcoming movie going by the same name. Like the podcast, the flick will “encompass various topics related to talking about sex, romance, race, hair, living in New York, and Billy Joel.”
And if we’re talking bold Bostonians, there’s a bunch of boss ladies who will taking part in the conference. Barbara Lynch — the local restaurateur whose eateries include Menton, No. 9 Park, Sportello, B&G Oysters and The Butcher Shop — will be making an appearance. Media personalities including “Chronicle” co-anchor Shayna Seymour, WCVB anchor Maria Stephanos and Karen Anderson, reporter for 5 Investigates, are also all slated to show up.