Streep, Pauly ‘evening of conversation’ covered marriage, family, career

Seated in olive green leather chairs Friday on the IU Auditorium stage, journalist Jane Pauley and actress Meryl Streep discussed marriage, family and career — with each other and an enthusiastic audience.

Pauley and Streep, whose visit was sponsored by the IU Foundation and Kate Benns Sturgeon Fund, focused on the women’s philanthropy and advancement and in the 21st century.

The 4:30 p.m. event began with an introduction by IU’s first lady Laurie Burns McRobbie, after which Pauley commented on Streep’s Indiana ties.

“How cool is it to be married to a Hoosier?”

Streep’s husband, Don Gummer, studied at the IU-Purdue University Indianapolis Herron School of Art in the 1960s. Pauley’s own personal tie to the University is as an alumnus. She graduated from IU in 1972 with a degree in political science before becoming a prominent television journalist.

The conversation flowed with Pauley leading throughout, discussing topics ranging from Streep’s first aspirations to sing, her discomfort during television interviews, raising children in the spotlight and theater training at Yale University.

Both Pauley and Streep also touched on insecurity that both said comes from being behind a camera.

However, after admitting she would not rule out plastic surgery, Streep offered the audience what she said was her “best piece of advice for young woman.”

“Don’t waste so much time on your looks, your skin. Put your hands on what you do with your job and your career.”

Streep, whose own career began on the stage in New York but moved to the silver screen, also touched on her “special sauce” for acting.

“I’d say my interest about other people is what animates my work,” Streep said. “I feel what I feel, I feel my skin is permeable. I have an interest in people — I’ve only played people I feel for. We’re not all different.”

For a full story pick up Monday’s copy of the Indiana Daily Student.