Blythe Danner Blasts New York Times for Comments About Daughter Gwyneth Paltrow In Weinstein Op-Ed

The article -- "Harvey Weinstein, Hollywood's Oldest Horror Story" -- accused Paltrow of "put[ing] aside her qualms to become 'the first lady of Miramax'" after she was allegedly sexually harassed by the movie mogul early on in her career. In a Letter to the Editor published online by the NYT on Tuesday, Danner called out writer Maureen Dowd by name.

"I cannot remain silent while Maureen Dowd disparages my daughter, Gwyneth Paltrow, for the manner in which she chose to handle Harvey Weinstein's attempt at a sexual encounter when she was 22," Danner wrote. "After her initial shock, Gwyneth left the room immediately, and, despite the fact that Mr. Weinstein threatened her if she ever spoke of what happened, she reported it to her agent and to her boyfriend at the time, Brad Pitt, who confronted Mr. Weinstein."

"Gwyneth did not 'put aside her qualms to become 'the first lady of Miramax'' back then, as Ms. Dowd would have it. She continued to hold her own and insist that Mr. Weinstein treat her with respect," Danner continued. "She had learned from her father, the producer and director Bruce Paltrow, how to stand up for herself. Bruce received the first Diversity Award from the Directors Guild for helping women and minorities in our business. His daughter wasn't the only woman he taught to fight for herself."

Danner added that she's "a longstanding member of the industry" herself and has been witness to years of "prejudice and unacceptable behavior toward women."

"No one would argue that Harvey Weinstein isn't finally getting what he deserves," she wrote, "but I hope that this is the point of no return where change will occur, not only in our industry but also others."

"I suggest that the pundits stop casting aspersions on the women who have confronted unwanted sexual advances in the manner each sees fit and concentrate on the constructive ways to prevent this behavior in the future," she added in conclusion.

After being hired for the 1996 film "Emma," Paltrow says she was called to a meeting in Weinstein's hotel room at the Peninsula hotel in Beverly Hills. Once there, he suggested they go to his bedroom for massages, according to her account in The New York Times.

"I was a kid, I was signed up, I was petrified," she explained. "I thought he was going to fire me."