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, Jane Rosenthal, Anjali Sud and Shoshannah Stern.

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

Gloria Estefan

Singer / Songwriter/ Author / Actress

40th ANNIVERSARY MUSE AWARD HONOREE

Gloria Estefan is one of the most successful crossover artists in Latin music history. She is a multiple Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, actress, author of two New York Times best-selling children’s books and producer of the Tony-Nominated musical, “On Your Feet!”  She is considered the most successful Latin crossover artist having sold more than 100 million records worldwide and achieved 38 #1 hits across the Billboard charts. Her many achievements are a testament to her success: an Academy Award-nomination for the song “Music of My Heart”; the Presidential Medal of Freedom; Kennedy Center Honors; a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame; Spain’s Gold Medal of Merit in the Fine Arts; and a National Artistic Achievement Award from the U.S. Congress, among many others. She and husband Emilio recently received the coveted Gershwin Prize from the Library of Congress for excellence in songwriting and is scheduled to release a new Brazilian album in 2020.

*Photo by Flor Blake
*Video shot by Terrence Romney