Women’s History Month: Angelina Jolie

As an award-winning actress, Angelina Jolie’s beauty and talent have captured public attention for many years. Despite her incredible accomplishments in film, Angelina has been lauded for her humanitarian work, as well as her brave encouragement of women everywhere.

via Vogue UK

Angelina has won three Golden Globe Awards, two Screen Actors Guild Awards and an Oscar, with her famous roles ranging from an action hero to a determined mother. Even with these successes, her most incredible roles exist in real life as she raises six diverse children and speaks on behalf of education and health around the world.

Early in her career, Angelina witnessed suffering in Cambodia while filming for her famous action film, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider. It was after this experience that she became an ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, working to support refugees worldwide. Although Angelina donated to the cause, she personally visited refugees in over 30 countries, connecting on a human level with those she wished to help. Jolie has also made efforts to support environmental conservation in many countries.

via CBS

Women, children and education are also central to Angelina’s work around the world. She consistently advocates for young immigrants and strong education in America and around the world, both through political lobbying and fundraising. She has opened schools for girls and children in many countries, including in Cambodia, Afghanistan, Kenya and Ethiopia. Additionally, she has launched campaigns against sexual assault in multiple countries, condemning it especially in times of war.

via CBS

Among many awards, Angelina has received the Citizen of the World Award, Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award and honorary damehood from the Queen of England. Recently, perhaps Angelina’s biggest accomplishment has been making her private battle public in hopes of encouraging other women’s health and self-appreciation. After learning her high odds of developing breast cancer, she underwent a preventative double mastectomy in 2013, as well as a preventive oophorectomy. She explained that these measures would hopefully protect herself and prolong her role as a mother. Angelina has received much public praise for her openness on the issue, and many women have undergone preventative tests as a result of her journey.

via Getty

For her openness, tireless dedication and incredible attention to the world’s diverse people and needs, The Foundation for Living Beauty treasures Angelina Jolie.

Introduction image from UN