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| Leading Ladies Who Truly Lead By:Caitlin Emmons Oscar’s leading ladies are not all about the designer dresses and the golden trophies. These actresses are also independent women, humanitarians, and predominant political figures. They have changed the societies they have inhabited and given Hollywood more than a reputation for scandal. Let’s start with Vanessa Redgrave, winner of the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in Julia. Not only did she win the golden man, but she fought against “the man.” A self proclaimed socialist, Redgrave has spent her life fighting for human rights. During the 1960s she joined the movement to oppose the war in Vietnam. Redgrave also fought for nuclear disarmament. More recently she has argued against America’s Guantanamo Bay Prison, calling it a concentration camp. Redgrave and her brother, Corin Redgrave, established the Peace and Progress Party after leaving the Anti-Stalinist Workers’ Revolutionary Party. In addition to fighting for rights as an individual, Redgrave also ran for a position as a member of the British Parliament. The famous Audrey Hepburn did more than grace the silver screen with her class, she was appointed to be the goodwill ambassador to the United Nations Children’s Fund [UNICEF] after she ended her acting career. As a child she has experienced German occupation and thus dedicated her life to easing the troubles of children in the poorest countries. She traveled to Turkey as part of UNICEF’s immunization campaign. Hepburn traveled to Venezuela and Ecuador where she saw the power of UNICEF in the new school houses being erected. She confronted starvation in Sudan, Bangladesh, Ethiopia and Somalia. In Central America she met with leaders to discuss the issues of poverty and its reduction. Hepburn called for a humanization of politics in order to confront such atrocities as she had seen during her many travels. She actively served UNICEF until her death in early 1993. Two time winner, Glenda May Jackson halted her career in film to pursue one in politics. In 1992 she entered the British House of Commons as the Labour Member of Parliament. She was later appointed as the junior minister in the government of former Prime Minister Tony Blair. After Britain’s involvement with the war in Iraq in 2003, Jackson grew suspicious of the government. She called for an investigation and went as far as calling for Tony Blair to resign. Today she continues to serve the Labour party as a Member of Parliament. Dame Peggy Ashcroft, receiving her award at age 77 Ashcroft was the oldest woman to be given the award for Best Supporting Actress, was appointed Commander of the British Empire in 1951. This is the third highest rank in the Order of the British Empire, allowing her to be referred to as “Dame” a denotation of knighthood. She was then promoted to Dame Commander in 1956, giving her even more power in the Order. Our final Hollywood hero is Angelina Jolie.After filming in poverty stricken Cambodia for Tomb Raider, Jolie turned to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees [UNHCR] to get more information on Cambodia and areas like it. Since then, Jolie has become the poster child for political activism in Hollywood. She has visited refugee camps in Sierra Leone, Afghanistan, and Tanzania. In 2001 she became the Goodwill Ambassador for the UNHCR. Her appointment has allowed her to meet with refugees as well as dominating political figures like Pakistan’s Pervez Musharraf. Jolie has also founded her own organization that provides free legal-assistance to children seeking asylum, the National Center for Refugee and Immigrant Children. Together with Brad Pitt, she established the Jolie/Pitt Foundation that gives to Doctors without Borders and to Global Action for Children. Jolie also purchased land to be preserved as a wildlife sanctuary in 2005. For these women, Hollywood was more than just a place to shine, it was their springboard for great acts of heroism, whether in politics or in charities. These women have provided a new face for those little golden men, they are the faces of empowerment and humanization. |
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