On March 10, 2026, the West Hollywood EDITION played host to one of the year’s most emotionally charged and inspiring events: the TIME Women of the Year Leadership Forum. The evening was a celebration of trailblazers from entertainment, sports, business, and activism, but it was Mariska Hargitay—best known as the indomitable Captain Olivia Benson on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit—who took center stage, both for her decades-long commitment to advocacy and for her recent groundbreaking work behind the camera.
Hargitay, at 62, received one of TIME’s most prestigious honors, joining a cohort of 16 influential women leaders recognized for their efforts to build a more equitable world. The honorees included luminaries such as Teyana Taylor, Lucy Liu, Brandi Carlile, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Chloé Zhao, and Olympic gold medalist Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone. The event, sponsored by Target, Booking.com, Toyota, Deloitte, and Maker’s Mark, was more than a photo opportunity—it was a forum for honest conversation and mutual celebration.
During an emotional keynote conversation with Lucy Feldman, TIME’s Editorial Director, Hargitay reflected on nearly three decades of advocacy, both through her role on Law & Order: SVU and her philanthropic work. She spoke candidly about the importance of destigmatizing sexual assault and domestic violence, underscoring her belief in the power of visibility and storytelling to drive change. Her vulnerable and heartfelt remarks resonated deeply with the audience, many of whom have followed her journey from television star to vocal champion for survivors.
“I’m just so honored that I get to just be here with you all tonight, and honestly, every other amazing woman that is sitting here as well,” fellow honoree Teyana Taylor remarked, capturing the spirit of solidarity that permeated the evening, according to USA Today.
Hargitay’s advocacy is not confined to the stage or screen. In 2004, she founded the Joyful Heart Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to transforming society’s response to sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse. Over the years, the foundation has become a force for legal reform and survivor support. One of its most significant achievements came in 2025 with the passage of the Take It Down Act, a federal law aimed at combating the spread of nonconsensual intimate images and AI-generated deepfakes. Hargitay has described this legislative victory as among her proudest career moments, a testament to the foundation’s relentless pursuit of justice for survivors.
“The Joyful Heart Foundation’s work to address the backlog of untested rape kits and advocate for critical legal reforms has changed countless lives,” noted TIME Magazine in its coverage of the forum. Hargitay’s efforts have not only led to tangible policy changes but also inspired a cultural shift in how survivors are perceived and supported.
But the evening wasn’t just about advocacy. Hargitay also discussed her feature film directorial debut, My Mom Jayne, which premiered on HBO in 2026. The documentary delves into the complex legacy of her mother, 1950s Hollywood starlet Jayne Mansfield, moving beyond the tabloid headlines to reveal a multidimensional woman of strength, vulnerability, and resilience. The film uncovers deeply personal family secrets, including the revelation that Hargitay’s biological father was not the man who raised her, bodybuilder Mickey Hargitay. The project was a labor of love, and Hargitay became visibly emotional as she recounted the impact the film has had on her understanding of family, identity, and inheritance.
“It was important for me to tell my mother’s story as honestly as I could,” Hargitay shared during the forum, her voice thick with emotion. “She was so much more than the persona people thought they knew. I’m grateful for her tenacity and determination—traits I hope I’ve inherited.” According to Variety, the documentary has been praised for its candor and depth, offering a fresh perspective on a Hollywood legend while illuminating the generational threads that connect mother and daughter.
Hargitay’s commitment to advocacy is mirrored in her ongoing work as director and executive producer on Law & Order: SVU. As of March 21, 2026, she continues to push for storylines that educate the public about the vital role of sexual assault nurse examiners (SANEs) and the critical care they provide during traumatic medical exams. Her insistence on accuracy and empathy in these portrayals has helped shape public discourse and brought much-needed attention to often-overlooked aspects of survivor care.
Meanwhile, the world of Law & Order: SVU continues to evolve. Season 27—currently airing on NBC and streaming on Peacock—has seen the return of Kelli Giddish as Sergeant Amanda Rollins, after a brief hiatus since Season 24. Rollins’ character, who left to pursue a role as a criminology professor, found her calling back in the field and rejoined the Special Victims Unit, bringing renewed energy and expertise to the team. Her relationship with Assistant District Attorney Sonny Carisi, played by Peter Scanavino, continues to develop, adding new layers to the show’s narrative fabric.
Giddish, who has been part of the SVU family since Season 13, spoke with NBC New York about the joy of returning to the set. “It’s great, absolutely great to be back,” she said, describing the cast and crew as “like family.” The camaraderie and mutual respect among the actors, Giddish noted, create an environment that is both supportive and creatively stimulating, even as they tackle some of television’s most challenging subject matter.
One of the most special relationships to emerge from the show is the off-screen friendship between Giddish and Hargitay. “She’s like a mom friend to me,” Giddish remarked, reflecting on the deep trust and respect that has developed over years of collaboration. This bond is mirrored in the evolving on-screen relationship between Benson and Rollins, a dynamic that has grown organically as both characters—and actors—have faced and overcome adversity together.
“It’s like riding a bike,” Giddish observed, describing how easily she slipped back into her role. The warmth and familiarity of the set, she added, make the often heavy subject matter more bearable and even enjoyable at times. This sense of family, both real and fictional, is part of what has kept Law & Order: SVU a staple of American television for nearly three decades.
New episodes of the series air Thursdays at 9/8c on NBC, with streaming available the following day on Peacock. As the show continues to explore the complexities of justice, trauma, and personal connection, it remains a poignant reminder of the power of storytelling to drive change—on screen and off.
Mariska Hargitay’s recent honors and ongoing work exemplify a broader cultural shift: a recognition that true leadership is rooted in authenticity, vulnerability, and an unwavering dedication to justice. Her journey, from actress to advocate to filmmaker, stands as a beacon for those who believe in the possibility of healing and the necessity of hope.