August 14, 2017

Empowering Women - Angelina Jolie



Before I get to the post, I want to share some news...I did my first radio talk show on Friday with author Yvonne Mason. I was nervous but ended up having a blast. You can listen to it here: Off The Chain - Chrys Fey



Or here:



Every month I am highlighting an empowering woman. This month it is:



Angelina Jolie

Angelina Jolie is far more than her looks (or her marriage/divorce to Brad Pitt). She is a major humanitarian and has received several awards for her efforts. She advocates for various causes including women’s rights, education, and conservation.

She joined forces with United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and started visiting these areas to see what it was like for the refugees. She’s completed more than 40 field missions. To help ferry aid workers and food supplies, she got her private pilot license. In 2001, she became the Goodwill Ambassador for UNHCR. And in 2012, she became Special Envoy to the UNHCR’s High Commissioner.

“I think we all want justice and equality, a chance for a life with meaning. All of us would like to believe that if we were in a bad situation someone would help us.”

What else does she do? 
- Pushes legislation to aid child immigrants
- Co-Chairs Kids in Need of Defense
- Has funded a school and boarding facility for girls at Kakuma Refugee Camp in NW Kenya.
- Jolie Legal Fellowship, a network of lawyers and attorneys who are sponsored to advocate the development of human rights in their countries.
- Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative, a campaign against sexual violence in military conflict zones .
- Centre for Women, Peace and Security, which aims to contribute to global women’s rights issues including the prosecution of war rape and women’s engagement in politics.
Plus more!

All of this is on top of adopting three children and giving birth to three more, acting, and directing (In the Land of Blood and Honey and Unbroken).

Unbroken:

I want to talk about Unbroken for a moment. I thought she was robbed when she wasn’t even nominated for Best Director. When I watched Unbroken, I was amazed at the power of it, the story, and the craftsmanship. Angelina directed a powerful movie.

I remember hearing her in an interview that she was going through a hard time when she read Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand, and it changed her. Unbroken is about Louis Zamperini, an Olympic runner, a Lieutenant in the US Air Force and a POW. (Jolie and Zamperini were actually neighbors!)

Cancer Prevention:

Angelina has also spoken out for cancer prevention. In 2013, she underwent a preventative double mastectomy after finding out she had an 87% risk of developing breast cancer. She also had an oophorectomy (removal of ovaries) due to a 50% risk of developing ovarian cancer.

She wrote about her decisions in The New York Times:

“On a personal note, I do not feel any less of a woman. I feel empowered that I made a strong choice that in no way diminishes my femininity.”

“The Angelina Effect” started soon after as women all over the world did the BRCA gene testing. To further help at-risk women, she advocated for wider accessibility and lower costs. June 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court greatly reduced the cost of the BRCA gene test.

Maleficent:


Angelina’s role in Maleficent won her a Kid’s Choice Award for Best Villain.

“I wanna say that when I was little, like Maleficent, I was told I was different, never good at fitting in. And then I realized something, something I hope you all realize—different is good.”

Angelina is a humanitarian, business woman, fighter, and mother. She’s a force to be reckoned with.



INSPIRING SONG:




QUESTIONS: Have you seen Maleficent or Unbroken? Are you a fan of Angelina Jolie?




49 comments:

  1. I read about Louis Zamperini's story in a coffeetable book about WWII vets telling their stories, but haven't seen the film about his life.

    I don't think I've seen any of Ms. Jolie's films, apart from excerpts, though her film Salt was partly filmed in my former area, Albany, NY. I know I'm very odd for being so unfamiliar with all these popular actors of the modern era, and knowing far more about the ones from before 1950.

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    1. Louis had a fascinating life.

      That's not weird at all. Older films are what you like, but I will say that Salt is my favorite action movie she's done, and she's done a lot of them.

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  2. She sure does do a lot indeed. Knew most of it at my sea... for once haha Haven't seen either of those two movies, but have seen a bunch of hers.

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    1. I had a much longer list of the things she does but shortened it because I figured no one would read it.

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  3. She does a lot of good for children.

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  4. It's always good to read about the good people do, instead of their foibles and mistakes. Great job with your podcast!

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    1. I think that's what we should focus on, too.

      Thanks!

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  5. I've seen both movies and know how she does all these charity work for children all over the Globe.

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  6. I love Angelina Jolie. She went from "wild child" to humanitarian--a huge turnaround. I admire all she does. I've seen Maleficent and Unbroken, along with most of her other movies. I say "most" because I'm not sure if I've missed any of them. I thought Unbroken was great. She'll have a new film that she directed premiering on Netflix this month: First, They Killed My Father. The Cambodian woman who wrote the book (of the same title) on which the movie is based spoke at my daughter's high school in about 2002. Then my daughter had the honor of interviewing her for the school newspaper. I'm excited about the movie, although the story of the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia is a tragic one.

    Love,
    Janie

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    1. I had no idea about her new film. I don't have Netflix, though, so I'll have to find another way to watch it. I sure like how she takes on such serious and difficult concepts/stories for the movies she directs. That speaks to her level of passion.

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  7. Angeline Jolie proved to men and women all over that a pretty face doesn't mean brainless. She has demonstrated her commitment to improving world around.

    I saw both movies, and enjoyed each. You are correct. Unbroken certainly should have rec'd an Oscar.

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  8. Excellent choice and I do admire Jolie even though I am not sure I would want to be married to her. I have a feeling it's her way or the highway and it would take a strong man to let her be free, be happy in the background but not be her doormat as she would not respect that even though I think, she tests that. I have seen her in both films. I enjoyed Malificient and thought it was better than I thought it would be. She was not so much a villain as hurt and angry. As for Unbroken.....superb film and one tha should have gotten her nominated for an Oscar. It's funny that she created a great film about a man who was religious and wndur d great suffering during WW2, was well written, acted and directed and did not get the same accolades as the Mel Gibson film, Hacksaw Ridge that also was well written, acted and directed. How sad...not that the films were not great nor the real people thatthe films were about but that a man who is anti Semitic, dislikes women and has other major hangups was lauded and accepted back into Hollywood with Oscar noms but Jolie, a well respected advocate for many charities, has gone into war torn countries, inspires and is also an excellent actress hardly got recognized for her film.

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    1. I don't like to speculate over what it would be like to be in a relationship with her, or Brad. No one could ever know what it's really like, how theory really are, or what really happened. He doesn't have a very good track record with his relationships, and I do feel she's getting most of the blame.

      That's Hollywood for you. :(

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  9. I have seen Maleficent. (It was a birthday party outing for my niece.) Not Unbroken. (I don't know if I can sit through it.)

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    1. Because of the subject matter, Unbroken isn't for everyone.

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  10. She appears to be an awe inspiring lady, Wonderful post Chrys.

    Yvonne.

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  11. I have seen Unbroken and it is an amazing film. I wish we'd hear more about her humanitarian work and less about her and Brad!

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    1. I think society is more interested in the drama of her relationship than the good things she does, which is unfortunate.

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  12. I haven't seen Unbroken yet, but I enjoyed Maleficent. :-)

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    1. I loved the different take on the Sleeping Beauty fairytale. :)

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  13. Wow. Where does all her energy come from?

    sherry @ fundinmental

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  14. Inspiring lady. Enjoyed her performance in Maleficent as well as the retelling of a classic.

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    1. She was fabulous as Maleficent. I heard there's going to be a sequel, though I'm not sure if that's true.

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  15. I saw Unbroken. It was excruciating. Not saying it was bad, but it was hard to watch to the end. There's no question that she is a talented actress and director. Also, her humanitarian efforts are exceptional. Good choice today, Chrys.

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  16. Yes! Angelina Jolie is certainly the right empowering lady for all women out there.

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  17. I haven't seen the movies you mentioned in this post, but I do love Angelina Jolie. She has done some amazing things with her fame. I think she really caught my attention in the movie Mr. and Mrs. Smith. I'm disappointed to hear about the divorce of her and Brad Pitt, but I'm sure they know what they need to do more than I do.

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    1. I was surprised to hear about the divorce because they seemed so in sync. I loved how they waited to marry until everyone had the right, and that her kids colored on her dress and veil. :)

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  18. I have not seen Maleficent or Unbroken, but I have always been a fan of the work Angelina Jolie does. I admit I had no idea how much she does for others until I read this post. Wow!

    Congrats on the radio show! How exciting. :)
    ~Jess

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    1. You have to see Maleficent. She was amazing in that movie.

      Thank you! :)

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  19. She's awesome, mostly because she's strong and goes after what she wants. Nothing seems to stop her. :-)

    Anna from elements of emaginette

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    1. And nothing should. Nothing should stop any of us. :)

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  20. She certainly puts a lot into humanitarian efforts, and I have a lot of respect for that.

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  21. I had no idea she's done all of these things. She's amazing. Since I don't follow movies or actors or actresses this is news to me. She truly is an inspiration and role model for women. Men too.

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    1. I love your final note. She is a great role model for all...men and women. :)

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  22. Hi Chrys - I think Angelina is a great advocate for women in general ... I didn't know about the film - and it's not one I would watch - but I find it interesting to see the kind of work people like Angelina take on. Her work with refugees is also inspirational - she sets a leadership standard for us to note ... and as she says she makes decisions re her potential cancers ... cheers Hilary

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    1. She does know how to lead well and do great things. We all really could (and should) take note.

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  23. Angelina Jolie is an amazing person. She's doing so much good for the world. =)

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  24. I love your interview! "Magical Chrys Fey"! Excellent!
    I love Angelina Jolie!! She does a lot for children and mother earth!

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    1. She had her passions and strives to do things for them. I admire that. :)

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