New York Women in Film & Television recently celebrated the 40th anniversary of the​ NYWIFT Muse Awards honoring women of outstanding vision and achievement both in front of and behind the camera in film, television, and digital media. This year’s honorees included some extraordinary women: Gloria Estefan, Ann Dowd, Kasi Lemmons, Anjali Sud, Jane Rosenthal and Shoshannah Stern.

Take a look back as we introduce you to what our Muse Honorees consider a Muse:

Ann Dowd

Emmy Award-winning Actress

40th ANNIVERSARY MUSE AWARD HONOREE

Muse Honoree Ann Dowd [photo by: Flor Blake]

Ann Dowd has had several notable roles and received multiple honors over the years including the 2017 Emmy Award for ‘Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series’ for her acclaimed performance on Hulu’s “The Handmaid’s Tale”, as well as a Golden Globe Award, Screen Actors Guild Award, and a Critics Choice Award. She received an Emmy nomination for her role on the beloved HBO series “The Leftovers”. She also was the recipient of ‘Best Supporting Actress’ from the National Board of Review, as well as being nominated for an Independent Spirit Award and Critic’s Choice Award her performance in the controversial psychological thriller “Compliance”. In 2019, Ann co-starred in the Foxtel limited series “Lambs of God”, based on the Australian novel by Marele Day. The show was the recipient of 18 Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Awards including lead actress for Ann.

Ann’s film roles include “Hereditary”, “American Animals”, “Captain Fantastic”, “Collateral Beauty”, “St. Vincent”, “Flags Of Our Fathers”, “Marley & Me”, “Garden State”, “Philadelphia” and Ben Wheatley’s upcoming adaptation of “Rebecca”. Ann’s illustrious television career has been highlighted by an acclaimed performance “Olive Kitteridge”, recurring roles on “Good Behavior”, “Masters of Sex”, “Judging Amy”, “Third Watch”, “Freaks and Geeks”, and memorable appearances on “True Detective (Season 1)”,  “Girls”, “House”, “Chicago Hope”, “The X-Files”, “NYPD Blue” and 9 different characters within the “Law & Order” franchise. Ann has starred on stage in plays including “The Normal Heart,” “Doubt,” “Blood from a Stone,” and on Broadway in “The Seagull” with Kristen Scott Thomas and Carey Mulligan, “Taking Sides” with Elizabeth Marvel, and “Candida” alongside Mary Steenburgen.

*Photo by Flor Blake
*Video shot by Terrence Romney