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Lily Tomlin made a big mark in Hollywood. She’s being recognized for it in an awesome way.

At 76 years old, Lily Tomlin has proven herself to be an acting and comedic badass who's been making audiences laugh — and cry — for decades.

She can play a clever, street-wise, independent woman as easily as she can play a vulnerable ex-wife who's just had her life turned upside down.


Image by Jerod Harris/Getty Images.

The comedy icon has been bestowed with a lot of awards throughout the years, but now she's adding one more. It's a pretty big one: The Screen Actors Guild (SAG) is giving her the Lifetime Achievement Award in January 2017.

Here are eight reasons why Lily Tomlin totally deserves this latest recognition:

1. Her first film role earned her two award nominations, and she's been winning awards and nominations ever since.

Tomlin was nominated for both an Academy Award and a Golden Globe in 1975 for her performance as the mom of two deaf children who has an affair — Robert Altman's "Nashville."

GIF from "Nashville."

The year prior, she had won her first Emmy for her comedy special simply titled "Lily." She would later go on to win two Tonys, the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, a Kennedy Center Honor, and two Peabody Awards, among many others.

One of her latest accolades is a 2015 Golden Globe nomination for the titular character in "Grandma."

2. She refuses to let ageism in Hollywood get in her way.

Any comedian will tell you it's not always easy making people laugh. Female comedians will probably tell you it's even harder. And if you're an older female comedian? Sometimes it's like Hollywood doesn't even know what to do with you.

But Lily Tomlin is just that good. She's managed to keep us laughing and tuning in to her career for almost 50 years, no matter what Hollywood producers say about women.

Lily Tomlin in 1981 at the premiere of "Nine to Five." Photo by Keystone Features/Getty Images.

3. She's not afraid to play strong female characters, even if they might make us feel uncomfortable.

From her antics as a cold-as-a-cucumber secretary in 1980's "Nine to Five" to her latest bad-grandma role in the 2015 movie "Grandma," she's OK playing an unlikable character, as long as the story is worth telling.

GIF from "Grandma."

4. She cares about the work she does. To her, it's not just about being famous.

Lily has carved an impressive career out of bringing all types of characters to life. While they're not all necessarily likable, she has a way of making them feel human, like they're real people. From her nosy and all-too-familiar character Ernestine to playing hilariously outspoken 5-year-old Edith Ann (complete with the oversized outfit), she always makes each role memorable.

Lily Tomlin playing Edith Ann on "The Lilly Tomlin Show." Photo by ABC Television/Wikimedia Commons.

5. She's multitalented beyond her acting abilities, with many writing and producing credits to her name.

Since winning her first Emmy in 1974, she has starred in five more comedy specials she wrote and produced alongside her wife and longtime producing partner, Jane Wagner.

It's one thing to have the presence and charisma to hold an audience, but it's entirely another to have the talent and wit to write and produce the show as well. Lily and Jane seem to have found a winning formula and stuck to it — on and off the stage.

Jane Wagner and Lily Tomlin in 2001. Photo by Henry Ray Abrams/Getty Images.

6. She's an incredibly generous humanitarian who cares deeply about the LGBTQ community and animal rights.

Lily is known for her big heart. She works extensively to support the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN). Lily herself is a proud member of the LGBTQ community, although she says she never felt the need to hold a press conference to either confirm or deny her sexual orientation. She and Jane have been together since 1971 and got married in 2013.

She also lends her time to animal causes, like this ad she did for PETA in April 2016 in which she reprised the role of Ernestine, one of her classic comedy characters.

Image via PETA/YouTube.

7. She says what's on her mind, especially when she sees injustice in the world.

In an interview with The Wrap, Tomlin told the story of a fancy dinner she attended where she was seated next to a wealthy architect. She was so frustrated by him that at one point she turned to him and asked: "Don’t you think we should try just a little bit harder to make the world a little bit better for just a few more people?”

Disappointingly, his answer was a simple "No."

Same. Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images.

8. She was the voice of Ms. Frizzle on "The Magic School Bus."

'Nuff said.

GIF from "The Magic School Bus."

Women as multifaceted as Lily Tomlin are a rare breed in Hollywood, and they should be celebrated more.

"She has an ability to create diverse and distinct characters that are at once familiar, eccentric, and oh so honest — in a way that illuminates life’s hidden corners," SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris said.

Cheers to SAG and to Tomlin for this awesome recognition of a woman who has managed to dance to the beat of her own drum while carving out a meaningful and impressive career along the way.

Identity

Celebrate International Women's Day with these stunning photos of female leaders changing the world

The portraits, taken by acclaimed photographer Nigel Barker, are part of CARE's "She Leads the World" campaign.

Images provided by CARE

Kadiatu (left), Zainab (right)

True

Women are breaking down barriers every day. They are transforming the world into a more equitable place with every scientific discovery, athletic feat, social justice reform, artistic endeavor, leadership role, and community outreach project.

And while these breakthroughs are happening all the time, International Women’s Day (Mar 8) is when we can all take time to acknowledge the collective progress, and celebrate how “She Leads the World.

This year, CARE, a leading global humanitarian organization dedicated to empowering women and girls, is celebrating International Women’s Day through the power of portraiture. CARE partnered with high-profile photographer Nigel Barker, best known for his work on “America’s Next Top Model,” to capture breathtaking images of seven remarkable women who have prevailed over countless obstacles to become leaders within their communities.

“Mabinty, Isatu, Adama, and Kadiatu represent so many women around the world overcoming incredible obstacles to lead their communities,” said Michelle Nunn, President and CEO of CARE USA.

Barker’s bold portraits, as part of CARE’s “She Leads The World” campaign, not only elevate each woman’s story, but also shine a spotlight on how CARE programs helped them get to where they are today.

About the women:

Mabinty

international womens day, care.org

Mabinty is a businesswoman and a member of a CARE savings circle along with a group of other women. She buys and sells groundnuts, rice, and fuel. She and her husband have created such a successful enterprise that Mabinty volunteers her time as a teacher in the local school. She was the first woman to teach there, prompting a second woman to do so. Her fellow teachers and students look up to Mabinty as the leader and educator she is.

Kadiatu

international womens day, care.org

Kadiatu supports herself through a small business selling food. She also volunteers at a health clinic in the neighboring village where she is a nursing student. She tests for malaria, works with infants, and joins her fellow staff in dancing and singing with the women who visit the clinic. She aspires to become a full-time nurse so she can treat and cure people. Today, she leads by example and with ambition.

Isatu

international womens day, care.org

When Isatu was three months pregnant, her husband left her, seeking his fortune in the gold mines. Now Isatu makes her own way, buying and selling food to support her four children. It is a struggle, but Isatu is determined to be a part of her community and a provider for her kids. A single mother of four is nothing if not a leader.

Zainab

international womens day, care.org

Zainab is the Nurse in Charge at the Maternal Child Health Outpost in her community. She is the only nurse in the surrounding area, and so she is responsible for the pre-natal health of the community’s mothers-to-be and for the safe delivery of their babies. In a country with one of the world’s worst maternal death rates, Zainab has not lost a single mother. The community rallies around Zainab and the work she does. She describes the women who visit the clinic as sisters. That feeling is clearly mutual.

Adama

international womens day, care.org

Adama is something few women are - a kehkeh driver. A kehkeh is a three-wheeled motorcycle taxi, known elsewhere as a tuktuk. Working in the Kissy neighborhood of Freetown, Adama is the primary breadwinner for her family, including her son. She keeps her riders safe in other ways, too, by selling condoms. With HIV threatening to increase its spread, this is a vital service to the community.

Ya Yaebo

international womens day, care.org

“Ya” is a term of respect for older, accomplished women. Ya Yaebo has earned that title as head of her local farmers group. But there is much more than that. She started as a Village Savings and Loan Association member and began putting money into her business. There is the groundnut farm, her team buys and sells rice, and own their own oil processing machine. They even supply seeds to the Ministry of Agriculture. She has used her success to the benefit of people in need in her community and is a vocal advocate for educating girls, not having gone beyond grade seven herself.

On Monday, March 4, CARE will host an exhibition of photography in New York City featuring these portraits, kicking off the multi-day “She Leads the World Campaign.

Learn more, view the portraits, and join CARE’s International Women's Day "She Leads the World" celebration at CARE.org/sheleads.


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He broke down in tears when he recognized her and promised to not let her down.

Inspiring update on man who was recognized by judge in court


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Elya/Wikimedia Commons

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