The Equal Employment Opportunity Committees of Actors' Equity, AFTRA and SAG presented their annual Ivy Bethune Tri-Union Diversity Awards at the Colony Theatre in Burbank, California on August 23, 2010. The Awards recognize performers and arts organizations who, through their work and activism, have fostered diversity within the entertainment and news media industries and communities. They are named for Ivy Bethune, a veteran member of all three unions (and longtime member of Equity's Western Regional Board), who has devoted more than 80 years of her life to civil rights and equal opportunity.
Equity's honoree, Deaf West Theatre Company, was recognized for its work to re-conceive outdated definitions of deaf artists. Emmy Award-winning director and longtime supporter Joe Sargent presented the Award to Deaf West Artistic Director Ed Waterstreet. Founded in 1991, Deaf West Theatre is recognized as the premiere sign language theatre in the United States and has received many awards for its work, including a 2004 Tony for Excellence presented to the cast of Big River.
Veteran union member actor/artist CCH Pounder, the Tri-Union honoree, was honored for her work with Arts for a New South Africa and her support of HIV/AIDS awareness programs.
