Burlington Native Amy Poehler Named Hasty Pudding Woman of the Year

Burlington’s own Amy Poehler is Hasty Pudding’s 2015 Woman of the Year, Hasty Pudding Theatricals announced Tuesday.

The oldest theatrical organization in the United States announced on its website Tuesday it is proud to “honor a talented and hilarious actress whose brand of comedy fits so well with the Pudding’s own tradition of satire and social commentary.”

Poehler graduated from Burlington High School in 1989 before attending Boston College. She’s a 1993 graduate of BC. Her book “Yes, Please,” hit bookstores nationwide last October.

The Woman of the Year Award is the Hasty Pudding Theatricals oldest honor, bestowed annually on performers who have made lasting and impressive contributions to the world of entertainment. Established in 1951, the Woman of the Year Award has been given to many notable and talented entertainers, including Meryl Streep, Katharine Hepburn, Julia Roberts, Jodie Foster, Elizabeth Taylor, Anne Hathaway, Claire Danes, and most recently, Marion Cotillard and Dame Helen Mirren.

The Woman of the Year festivities, presented by The Related Companies, will begin at 4 p.m. on January 29, when Poehler will lead a parade through the streets of Cambridge. Following the parade, the Hasty Pudding Theatricals will host a celebratory roast for the actress. At 4:30 p.m., Poehler will be presented with her Pudding Pot at Farkas Hall, the Hasty Pudding’s historic home in the heart of Harvard Square since 1888. Following a post-presentation press conference, Hasty Pudding cast members will perform several musical numbers from the group’s 167th production, ¡Oops! Madrid it again…

“We are extremely excited to announce Amy Poehler as our 2015 Woman of the Year, She is an accomplished performer, incredible comedian, and an inspiration to everyone in the Hasty Pudding.” said Jason Hellerstein, ‘15, President of the Hasty Pudding Theatricals.” “We look forward to welcoming Ms. Poehler and celebrating and honoring her achievements in a truly unique and memorable way.”

Poehler currently stars on the Emmy-nominated Parks and Recreation as “Leslie Knope,” a role for which she has received much critical acclaim, including a 2014 Golden Globe win and five consecutive Emmy nominations. Poehler can also be seen as the host and producer of her award-winning online series “Smart Girls at the Party” and will be featured in a number of upcoming film projects, including Sisters alongside Tina Fey and as the voice of “Joy” in Pixar’s next animated film, Inside Out. Poehler will also return for a third and final time as co-host of the 72nd Golden Globe Awards this January. Poehler spent seven seasons on Saturday Night Live and is a founding member of the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater. Her first book, “Yes Please,” debuted at #1 on the New York Times Best Sellers list.

The Hasty Pudding Theatricals will announce their Man of the Year at a later date and the recipient will be honored on February 6.

Photo Credit: Hasty Pudding