Angelina Jolie is one of the most famous and powerful women in the film industry, both in front of the camera and behind it. She has had soaring acting success in franchises such as Lara Croft: Tomb Raider series that established her role as a leading Hollywood actress. She has also had recent critical success with her directorial debut of In The Land of Blood and Honey and war epic Unbroken that she was hotly tipped for a Best Director Oscar nod but sadly she went unrecognised (as did most women at the this year’s Academy Awards…).
But this phenomenal success is not why I admire her and see her as a role model. I admire her for how she was able to change her life and become America’s equivalent to Princess Diana. She was once the rebel who wore Billy-Bob Thornton’s blood round her neck but is now a UN ambassador, advocate for women’s rights, environmental humanitarian as well as mother of six children, three of which are adopted. In the last year alone she has fronted a campaign with foreign secretary William Hague against sexual violence in military conflict zones and co-chaired a four-day global summit attended by 123 nations surrounding the issue. She uses her powers as an actress and celebrity to shed light on issues and help raise awareness in the media. She is a worthy role model in both her admirable acting skills and talents and in her on-going and passionate humanitarian work.
