by Brooke Varney
Emma Watson continues to prove again and again that she just might be the perfect celebrity and role model. Talented, Ivy League-educated, and not to mention drop-dead gorgeous, the actress shows what it truly means to be doing the whole Hollywood thing right.
Emma Watson with Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon.
The newly-appointed U.N. Women Goodwill Ambassador gave a truly thought-provoking speech to launch the HeForShe campaign, urging both men and women to consider themselves feminists, and realize the true meaning of the word itself. Emma recounted, “I decided I was a feminist and this seemed uncomplicated to me, but my recent research has shown me that feminism has become an unpopular word. Apparently I am among the ranks of women whose expressions are seen as too strong, too aggressive, isolating, anti-men and, unattractive. Why is the word such an uncomfortable one?” She also added, “The more I spoke about feminism, the more I realized that fighting for women’s rights has too often become synonymous with man-hating,” Watson said. “If there is one thing I know for certain is that this has to stop.” Miss Watson spoke not only about inequality when it comes to women’s rights, but men’s as well. She mentions that suicide is the largest killer of men ages 20-49 in the UK, in which many cases men felt as if they would have been looked at as “less macho” if they had sought help for mental illness. Emma taking on such a topical and sensitive subject with such intelligence and grace makes us love her even more, and eager to see what other charitable endeavors she will take on in the future.
Watch Emma’s full speech here.