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68 SAG-AFTRA | Fall/Winter 2021 | sagaftra.org PRESIDENT MAKES DEBUT ADDRESS TO LABOR WOMEN I n her first public appear- ance as SAG-AFTRA's top officer, President Fran Drescher gave a keynote speech at the 21st biennial convention of the Coalition of Labor Union Women, which took place online Oct. 7–9. The theme for the convention was "A Vision! A Vote! A Victory!" Drescher, who was introduced by SAG-AFTRA member Shyla La'Sha, spoke about labor, women's empowerment and women's health, and her remarks drew an emotional response from the hundreds of delegates who attended. Fellow labor leaders who spoke included IFPTE's Secretary- Treasurer Gay Henson, UAW Vice President Cindy Estrada, APALA Executive Director Alvina Yeh and Washington State Labor Council Secretary-Treasurer April Sims. something I think is the right idea, rather than people-please." The Nanny went on to be a hit, with high Nielsen ratings and viewership. Much of its storyline and characters were based on Drescher's personal experiences and real-life relationships with family and friends, and featured noted celebrity guest stars, including the 34th SAG Life Achievement honoree and fan favorite Elizabeth Taylor. By its sixth and final season in 1999, the show and Drescher had earned 12 Emmy nominations and a win in the Outstanding Individual Achievement in Costume for a Series, as well as a Golden Globe nomination in the Actress in a Musical or Comedy TV Series category. With continuous syndication throughout the years, as well as numerous foreign adaptations, Drescher has become a TV icon with a legacy much like other female television pioneers such as Lucille Ball and Mary Tyler Moore. In the time since, she's gone on to lead other shows, such as Happily Divorced (2011–2013) and Indebted PHOTOFEST ORION PICTURES/PHOTOFEST Clockwise from top left, Fran Drescher, May 2002, with her book, Cancer Schmancer, which became a New York Times bestseller; Drescher and Mandy Patinkin in Ragtime (1981); Robin Williams and Drescher in Cadillac Man (1990). PARAMOUNT PICTURES/PHOTOFEST