I’m pretty sure that Viola Davis and Meryl Streep didn’t know each other before they worked together on Doubt. I’ve read interviews with Viola where she described her flat-out terror at the prospect of acting against Meryl, and how that terror led her to be excessively prepared for her scene with Meryl. Whatever went down during filming of Doubt, it seems like V and Meryl became fast friends. They both garnered Oscar nominations for the film, and they were very hand-holdy and affectionate with each other in interviews and on lots of red carpets. I tend to think that everybody loves Meryl, though – she’s just seems like a lovely woman, a woman who actively mentors younger actresses, a woman who is comfortable being a role model.

Anyway, as you know, Meryl and Viola found themselves in competition for the Best Actress Oscar. Many (including me) thought V had it sewn up – how could the Academy NOT give it Viola for not only her heart-wrenching performance, but for her two decades of work in film, television and theater? Well, it went to Meryl. When Meryl won, she kissed her husband and then reached across the aisle to embrace Viola. I thought V looked sad, but there was also a look on her face of – “Well, if I was going to lose, I’m glad I lost to Meryl.”

So in the post-Oscar clean-up, Meryl did something for her friend which is… kind of amazing. Meryl celebrated her Oscar victory by donating $10,000 to a charter school that Viola supports in her hometown of Central Falls, Rhode Island. G–damn, Meryl is a classy bitch.

The Help’s Viola Davis may have missed out on an Oscar trophy at Sunday’s Academy Awards, but she still walked away somewhat of a winner thanks to the night’s big champ Meryl Streep.

On Monday, Streep — who earned top honors for her portrayal in The Iron Lady — donated $10,000 to a bankrupt charter school Davis supports in her Rhode Island hometown of Central Falls.

“We’ve just been screaming from the rooftops,” Angelo Garcia, the founder and director of operations at the Segue Institute for Learning, told Reuters after news of Streep’s donation was made public Tuesday. “We’re excited Meryl Streep has gotten the ball rolling for us, but we recognize there’s a long road ahead of us,” he added.

Donating on behalf of her Silver Mountain Foundation for the Arts, Streep, 62, will soon see her funds put to good use, allowing the school to establish a capital campaign in hopes of raising $1.2 million to buy and renovate a nearby building and community center.

[From Us Weekly]

How much do you love this? This is grace in victory. This is not a move of pity, or shame or a feeling of undeservedness. Meryl thinks she deserved the Oscar – she would have been fine without it, sure, but if they were going to give it her, she would accept it with open arms. But she can simultaneously honor her co-nominee and friend and make a public move to support her friend’s cause. I just… I’m so filled with love for both of these ladies. They’re awesome.

Photos courtesy of WENN, Fame/Flynet.