Birthday girl Barbra Streisand dons a beret to discuss matters of the heart at the Women in the World Summit in NYC 

By Cassie Carpenter for MailOnline

Published: 20:38 EST, 23 April 2015 | Updated: 20:38 EST, 23 April 2015

Pop diva icon Barbra Streisand donned a beret to discuss matters of the heart at the Women in the World Summit in Manhattan Thursday.

The birthday girl - who turns 73 on Friday - looked sophisticated in a charcoal maxi-dress, matching hoodie, and black wedge boots.

The Guilt Trip actress finished off her monochromatic ensemble with blown-out locks, a snake necklace, and her signature long nails.

Scroll down for video  

Monochromatic look: Pop diva icon Barbra Streisand donned a beret to discuss matters of the heart at the Women in the World Summit in Manhattan Thursday

Barbra - born Barbara - pointed out gender bias and urged the audience to write Congress and demand more funding for heart disease.

'I think women are still viewed as second-class citizens,' said Streisand, according to the New York Times.

'It's still a kind of old boys club, and whether it's politics or in the workplace, it's also there in medical research. For the last 50 years, most of the research has been done on men.'  

'I think women are still viewed as second-class citizens': The birthday girl - who turns 73 on Friday - looked sophisticated in a charcoal maxi-dress, matching hoodie, and black wedge boots

Native New Yorker: The Guilt Trip actress finished off her monochromatic ensemble with blown-out locks, a snake necklace, and her signature long nails 

'Most of the research has been done on men': Barbra - born Barbara - pointed out gender bias and urged the audience to write Congress and demand more funding for heart disease

It's a passionate cause for the mother-of-one, who has donated around $26M through her Barbra Streisand Women's Heart Center at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

Babs also holds the unique distinction of being one of 17 performers who have won an EGOT - Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award.

The New York native voiced support for WITW honoree Hillary Clinton, declaring: 'We know who we want to be the next president of the United States.' 

The houndstooth-suited Democratic presidential candidate received a standing ovation and spoke about being 'closer than we've ever been to achieving equal rights for women.' 

The New York native voiced support for WITW honoree Hillary Clinton, declaring: 'We know who we want to be the next president of the United States'

In the running: The houndstooth-suited Democratic presidential candidate received a standing ovation and spoke about being 'closer than we've ever been to achieving equal rights for women'

Also onstage the David H. Koch Theater was two-time Golden Globe nominee Ashley Judd speaking on a panel called 'Taming the Trolls.'

The Insurgent actress - who turned 47 on Sunday - showcased her acro-yoga-toned figure in a white textured top, skinny jeans, and stilettos.

'We are talking about human beings. I am a human being and so are the people who commit the [online] abuse, and the underlying problem is the dehumanization of me,' said Ashley - according to the Hollywood Reporter.

Judd is currently in the midst of a legal battle with numerous people who threatened her online last month over an Arkansas Razorbacks tweet.

Sitting pretty: Also onstage the David H. Koch Theater was two-time Golden Globe nominee Ashley Judd speaking on a panel called 'Taming the Trolls'

Southern belle: The Insurgent actress - who turned 47 on Sunday - showcased her acro-yoga-toned figure in a white textured top, skinny jeans, and stilettos

'I am a human being and so are the people who commit the [online] abuse': Judd is currently in the midst of a legal battle with numerous people who threatened her on Twitter last month

Heading up the panel: 'Taming the Trolls' was moderated by seven-time Daytime Emmy winner Katie Couric looking sharp in a silk blouse and black skirt

'Taming the Trolls' was moderated by seven-time Daytime Emmy winner Katie Couric looking sharp in a silk blouse and black skirt. 

Dame Helen Mirren was yet another of the feminist-focused event's 50 'women of impact' to address the crowd.

The 69-year-old Oscar winner looked conservative in a lacy white blazer, black trousers, and green oxford shoes. 

'I didn’t feel the need to be married': Dame Helen Mirren was yet another of the feminist-focused event's 50 'women of impact' to address the crowd

Straight talk: The 69-year-old Oscar winner looked conservative in a lacy white blazer, black trousers, and green oxford shoes

The Woman in Gold star stressed: 'This is the most important thing to teach our daughters: to gain financial independence. In a sense, that's been the driving force of my life' (pictured with Tina Brown)

Focus on feminism: The sixth annual Women in the World Summit runs through Friday at NewYork's Lincoln Center

'I didn't like the idea of marriage,' admitted the Woman in Gold star, who wed filmmaker Taylor Hackford in 1997.

'I didn’t feel the need to be married.'

Mirren stressed: 'This is the most important thing to teach our daughters: to gain financial independence. In a sense, that's been the driving force of my life.'

The sixth annual Women in the World Summit runs through Friday at New York's Lincoln Center.

Comments (24)

Share what you think

• Newest
• Oldest
• Best rated
• Worst rated

 View all

The comments below have not been moderated.

 View all

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

Add your comment

Enter your comment

By posting your comment you agree to our house rules.

Submit Comment Clear

Who is this week's top commenter? Find out now