Entertainment
Angelina Jolie & 10 More Famous Females Who Work to Change the World
Angelina Jolie is not only the highest paid actress in Hollywood, she is one of the world's most powerful humanitarians. She recently was awarded the Humanitarian Award at the 2013 Governors' Ball and it was abundantly clear just how much she cares about the causes she helps.
Jolie's most notable work is as the Goodwill Ambassador for the The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, which helps protect refugees worldwide. She also donates and works regularly with Doctors Without Borders; co-chairs the Education Partnership for Children of Conflict; and co-founded the Jolie-Pitt Foundation which works to eradicate extreme rural poverty... just to name a few of her many charitable causes. Her incredible history of humanitarian work will continue as she is set to co-Chair a Summit to Combat Sexual Violence in war zones. She will be working alongside British Foreign Secretary William Hague to bring about awareness and change to this urgent and global issue of terror against women.
Since the Holidays are a time to give back and in the spirit of giving, let's look to some more inspirational women and the charities and non-profits they work with for inspiration.
Bette Midler, Founder, New York Restoration Project
According to the non-profit's mission statement, "NYRP is a non-profit organization dedicated to transforming open space in underserved communities to create a greener, more sustainable New York City. In partnership with the City of New York, NYRP is also leading MillionTreesNYC – an initiative to plant and care for one million new trees throughout New York City’s five boroughs by 2017."
Frances McDormand, The 52nd Street Project
This New York institution pairs underserved young people with professional artists to create original pieces of performance, art, and much much more.
Kristen Bell, Rachel Bilson, and Sophia Bush, Invisible Children
According to Invisible Children's Website, "Joseph Kony and the Lord’s Resistance Army have been abducting, killing, and displacing civilians in East and central Africa since 1987. We first encountered these atrocities in northern Uganda in 2003 when we met a boy named Jacob who feared for his life and a woman named Jolly who had a vision for a better future. Together, we promised Jacob that we would do whatever we could to stop Joseph Kony and the LRA. Invisible Children was founded in 2004 to fulfill that promise."
Donate here and learn more about how the program works.
Alicia Keys, Keep a Child Alive
Keep A Child Alive is "dedicated to providing life-saving HIV treatment, care, nutritious food, support services and love to children and families affected by HIV in Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa, Uganda and India."
Dolly Parton, United Way Worldwide
Diane von Furstenburg and Sally Field, Vital Voices Global Partnership
Vital Voices mission is to, "Identify, invest in and bring visibility to extraordinary women around the world by unleashing their leadership potential to transform lives and accelerate peace and prosperity in their communities."
Get involved and join important work by humanitarians like Hillary Clinton and Malala Yousafzai to raise women higher all around the world.
Jessica Biel, The Wild Animal Sanctuary
The Wild Life Sanctuary works across North, Central, and South America to "prevent and alleviate cruelty to animals which are abandoned or that are subject to deprivation or neglect by providing care and boarding for such animals."
Find out many ways to help.
Emma Stone, Gilda's Club New York City
After comedian Gilda Radner lost her battle with cancer, her husband Gene Wilder founded the Gilda's Club movement. Her legacy has helped to "create welcoming communities of free support for everyone living with cancer – men, women, teens and children – along with their families and friends. Our innovative program is an essential complement to medical care, providing networking and support groups, workshops, lectures and social activities, all free of charge."
Volunteer, Donate, and bring joy.
Meryl Streep, National Women's History Museum
The NWHM is a privately-funded non-profit that "educates, inspires, empowers, and shapes the future by integrating women's distinctive history into the culture and history of the United States."
Support the museum here.
America Ferrara, Ambassadorm Peace First
A multi-dimensional children's education and empowerment charity "Peace First is a national nonprofit organization that exists to create the next generation of peacemakers. We view children as natural problem solvers and creative thinkers, and invest in their ability to see themselves as leaders."
Make a gift here.
