It’s no secret that Kerry Washington is a huge advocate for women’s issues; she spoke at the 2012 Democratic National Convention and has had an active role in the global movement to end violence against women and girls. More impressive than her acting talent and activism is perhaps the way she handles her celebrity status and the platform that she is able to create based on her status.  In a 2012 interview with Feministing.com, she clarified that it is not her “responsibility” as a celebrity to speak out on issues plaguing our society, but rather her responsibility as an American citizen and as a woman. 
This differentiation is so important for girls and women to hear, because it reminds them that they do not need to be a celebrity or in a position of power to make a difference.  Washington’s intellectual and practical approach to women’s issues is empowering, and it breaks the negative stigma that is commonly attached to the term “feminism.” In the same 2012 interview with Feministing.com, she responded to a question about her “favorite part of being a feminist” with the following:

 “The term feminist is so inclusive now. There isn’t one way to be a feminist or to practice feminism, to exercise feminism. You can be feminist in lots of different ways because the point is freedom of
choice.  I also want to say that I very much identify with the term womanist, but I don’t think the two are mutually exclusive. I also identify as a humanist. I don’t think that either of those terms are mutually exclusive.”

Washington’s broad take on feminism is even more applicable in today’s society and within the global environment, because women’s issues are taken as human rights issues. Her bottom line of equality and her confidence in what she believes to be right is what makes Washington such a great role model for girls and women. 

Information Source: The Feministing Five, Published June 2 2012 by Feministing.com
http://feministing.com/2012/06/02/the-feministing-five-kerry-washington/

Gabrielle (Gabby) Douglas won the hearts of millions of Americans when she took home the 2012 Olympic gold medal in both the individual all-around and team competitions.  At only 17 years old, she made Olympic history by becoming the first woman of color of any nationality and the first African-American Olympic gymnast to become the Individual All-Around Champion. She also made American Olympic history by becoming the first gymnast to earn gold medals in both the individual all-around and team competitions at the same Olympic Games.  The Associated Press named her “Female
Athlete of the Year” in December 2012, and it is no question that she was one of the most talked about female athletes this past year. Though her accomplishments are wide-spread and have set the precedence for an amazing career in gymnastics,
it is not just Gabby’s talent that inspires children and adults alike; it is also her personality, positive attitude and perseverance. Her story and journey to the Olympics reminds us that it is possible to
actively pursue our dreams. 
    Gabby was only 14 years old when she made the decision to move to Iowa to train under Liang Chow, the former coach of 2008 Olympic gold medalist Shawn Johnson.  The move was difficult
for her and her family, but in multiple interviews she states that it was the only way that she could receive the type of training that she needed to become an Olympian.  A cross-country move
is no small feat for a 14 year old; especially for one that is leaving her family to stay with a host family in order to pursue her dream of an Olympic gold medal.  It was this first leap
of faith that put Gabby on the path to her many future accomplishments, which eventually led to her historical win at the 2012 Summer Olympics. 
    Since the 2012 Summer Olympics, Gabby has become a positive icon for young girls and adults and is now sponsored by major corporations, such as P&G and Kellogg’s.  Beyond her
positive personality and presence is her strength to speak on issues that plagued her as she was growing up, specifically ones that almost kept her from pursuing her dreams.  Racial comments and bullying were not uncommon for Gabby growing up, and using her fame as a platform to speak out against these issues is both relevant and inspiring to children and adolescents who struggle with similar issues. In December she released her autobiography Grace, Gold, and Glory: My Leap of Faith, which recounts her journey in gymnastics, the difficulties she faced along the way, and the perseverance that kept her going as she worked to achieve her ultimate dream of becoming an Olympian.  Gabby is an inspiration to those who wish to pursue their dreams and she is a testimony to the pay-off that comes along with hard work, perseverance, and a positive attitude. She is a confident and positive young adult who now serves as an excellent role model for America’s youth—and the youth throughout the world. 
Information source: Gabrielle Douglas personal website. Retrieved from http://gabrielledouglas.com/index.php
 <http://gabrielledouglas.com/video.php>


 

President Barack Obama appointed Melanne Verveer as Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues. The President’s decision to create a position of Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues is unprecedented, and reflects the elevated importance of these issues to the President and his entire Administration. In her capacity as director of the Department of State’s new office on Global Women’s Issues, Ambassador Verveer coordinates foreign policy issues and activities relating to the political, economic and social advancement of women around the world. She mobilizes concrete support for women’s rights and political and economic empowerment through initiatives and programs designed to increase women’s and girls’ access to education and health care, to combat violence against women and girls in all its forms, and to ensure that women's rights are fully integrated with human rights in the development of U.S. foreign policy.

Ambassador Verveer most recently served as Chair and Co-CEO of Vital Voices Global Partnership, an international nonprofit she co-founded. Vital Voices invests in emerging women leaders and works to expand women’s roles in generating economic opportunity, promoting political participation, and safeguarding human rights. Prior to her work with Vital Voices, Ambassador Verveer served as Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff to the First Lady in the Clinton Administration and was chief assistant to then-First Lady Hillary Clinton in all her wide-ranging international activities to advance women’s rights and further social development, democracy and peace-building initiatives. She also led the effort to establish the President’s Interagency Council on Women. Prior to her time in the White House, Ambassador Verveer served in a number of leadership roles in public policy organizations and as legislative staff.

Ambassador Verveer has a B.A. and M.A. from Georgetown University. She is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, Women’s Foreign Policy Group, and numerous other organizations.