Academy Award winner Geena Davis recently waded into the ongoing controversy over this year's Oscars ceremony by saying host Seth MacFarlane's routine was disrespectful to women, particularly those who were being honored.

Davis said MacFarlane's much-criticized routine last month overshadowed the win of an animated film with a strong female character.

"It's a shame that that triumph was enveloped in an awards ceremony containing disrespect for women," Davis told members of the California Assembly. "But it helps illustrate how tone-deaf we can still be regarding the status of women."

Davis was in the state capital as one of 11 California women honored for their achievements. She is chair of the state Commission on the Status of Women and Girls and founded a nonprofit that promotes gender equality in the media.

Last week, two female state lawmakers sent a letter to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences asking it to condemn MacFarlane's quips about nude scenes and the attractiveness of several female actresses as degrading toward women.

The academy issued a general statement defending MacFarlane and saying the award show is about "creative freedom."