Feminism, Empowerment, Fashion & Expletives: What Went Down at the ELLE Women in Hollywood Awards

What do you get when some of the most amazing women in Hollywood come together for one night only? A whole lot of feminism, empowerment, incredible fashion, and lots of expletive-ridden speeches. For the 22nd Annual ELLE Women in Hollywood Awards, held on Monday night at the Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills on Monday, Kate Winslet, Carey Mulligan, Alicia Vikander, Amy Schumer, Ava Duvernay, and Meryl Streep, were all honored with trophies in addition to their magazine covers. Shailene Woodley, who walked her first red carpet in months to honor her Divergent co-star Winslet, Zoe Kravitz and her boyfriend Twin Shadow, Nina Dobrev, Mary J. Blige, and Johnson’s entire family — Tippi Hedren, Melanie Griffith, and Stella Banderas — were all in the audience.

The biggest lesson learned (and there were plenty, such as that wearing a belt over one’s stomach will never be chic no matter how many hours an individual clocks at the gym) is that Meryl Streep was the most popular woman in the room, probably in Hollywood, and maybe even in the world. Every single person who had the opportunity to speak gave a shot-out to the star. Lena Dunham even called the 66-year-old her BFF and Schumer gave the Suffragette star a “hey girl.” Attendees have even taken to hashtagging their Instagrams from the event #Meryl. Lots of golden statues aren’t enough — give this woman a crown.

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