Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1433871
72 SAG-AFTRA | Fall/Winter 2021 | sagaftra.org 50th SAG Life Achievement honoree Rita Moreno, British singer-songwriter and LGBTQ activist Elton John and the late American musician Ray Charles, who had a four-episode cameo as a love interest to Fran Fine's grandmother Yetta. Even in an era where guest star appearances were a common occurrence on television, pop culture experts mark the show's choices as a progressive counterpoint to its peers at the time. When asked about the show's diversity and inclusion in a 2020 Vogue interview, Drescher said, "There was a point where I felt like the show was too white, and I wanted to infuse people of color, because it wasn't happening in the '90s. But we were set in New York in the theater world, and I wanted to bring other elements to it." Drescher's advocacy has also extended into championing causes for victims of Continues on page 140 NBC/PHOTOFEST Adam Pally and Fran Drescher in Indebted (2020) O ne of SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher's policy priorities is to steer the industry toward more environmentally friendly practices. "We must … take a stand on environmental issues and shift our industry's waste paradigm towards significant reductions of its carbon footprint," she said in her remarks to delegates during the national convention. She is establishing an advisory council of high-profile performers to promote environmental awareness and advocate for appropriate eco-friendly policies nationwide and sustainable practices for a green entertainment and media industry. SAG-AFTRA will also collaborate with sister unions and organizations that encourage sustainable practices, and draft principles and procedures for eco-friendly policies and projects. Internally, the union will look at ways to serve members more efficiently, such as expanding paperless options, using more recycled office supplies, using machines and lights that consume less energy, limiting the use of bottled water, and expanding on the responsible production practices of the SAG Awards, which has been repeatedly recognized by the Environmental Media Association with its Green Seal Award. GOING GREEN