Meryl Streep Is An Inspiration To Us All

The world is an ever-changing place, but no matter what happens, there is one thing that remains solid and true: Meryl Streep is an absolute queen. Not only is she a phenomenally talented actress — actually, the best living actor out there, I feel confident in saying — but she's also an all-around incredible woman. Streep consistently uses her platform of fame for good, speaking out on important issues that she cares deeply about and standing up for the rights of women, the LGBT community, and other marginalized groups like a total boss. In fact, just this week, right in time for her 66th birthday, Streep lobbied every single member of Congress individually in order to urge them to revive and add the Equal Rights Amendment to the Constitution.

"A whole new generation of women and girls are talking about equality — equal pay, equal protection from sexual assault, equal rights," Streep wrote in her letter. "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." And look, if you want anyone to speak up in support of issues that really matter, it's Streep, who has an eloquence and power that makes everyone want to sit up and listen.

But this is far from the first time Streep has spoken out on what matters. Here are 7 other times Streep has been unapologetic about standing up for what she believes in.

When She Promoted Education For Refugee Children With Fordham University

Back in 2010, Streep appeared at the United Nations launch of the Fordham University Press publication Even in Chaos: Education in Times of Emergency to speak on the importance of valuing education as much as medical attention in countries where humanitarian is necessary. She also urged for workers to protect schools and other learning institutions against attacks by militias, because knowledge is power.

When She Supported The "Radical Act" Of Being A Female Filmmaker

Back in April, Streep joined Ava DuVernay and Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy on a Jon Stewart-moderated panel at the Women in the World Summit in New York to discuss the male-dominated film industry and how women are still fighting to become equals within it. Ugh, tell it like it is!

When She Revealed The Secret Of Finding Happiness

It's less complicated than we think, at the end of the day. Streep has always encouraged her fellow human beings to follow their bliss by being true to themselves, and it makes sense. She's never pretended to be anyone she isn't, and that's worked out pretty well for her, I'd say.

When She Encouraged Empathy Above All Else

Sometimes in life, we get caught up in our own dramas to the point that we don't really look at the world around us. Streep emphasizes empathy, because caring for those around us is one of the greatest things we can do in life, and the most rewarding, too.

When She Spoke Out On Environmental Health Issues

We don't pay enough attention to environmental health issues in general, which is a shame because the world we live in affects us all, as well as future generations. Streep has been vocal about these issues for the past several years as she became more and more aware of the repercussions our current lifestyles are having on the planet. Important work, and something we should all be thinking more about.

When She Basically Said The Wisest Thing You've Ever Heard

Seriously, I don't even think I can add anything to this. Streep lives her life by her own rules, but rules that still allow her to treat other people with respect and kindness, and to cut out anyone who doesn't live the same way. Ugh, don't you just love her?

When She Celebrated Her Weirdness (And Ours, Too)

Being weird is what makes you unique, and what's not to love about that?

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