Born into a well-known, female-driven
family of entertainers, Judd learned early on how to perform to please an
audience. She was born into an industry synonymous with perfection—perfection
that was impossible to achieve, yet still expected. Not only was perfection
expected, but as was working with her mother and sister, despite a tumultuous
and unhealthy relationship. More of an actress than a singer, Judd, unlike her
mother and sister, delved into an industry that ultimately influenced her
future devotion.
Spending her childhood in Eastern
Kentucky, and even later attending the University of Kentucky for her
undergrad, Judd almost immediately turned to activism. She graduated Phi Beta
Kappa, and proceeded onto her dream of graduate school. After college, Judd planned on joining the
Peace Corps, but her plans were swayed after being convinced to move to
California to pursue a career in acting.
Judd achieved almost immediate success in
her career as actress—leaving behind her degree in Women’s Studies and
Anthropology. She was beautiful, talented, and in each of her roles she played
a strong female character; however, the entertainment industry did anything but
support strong women.
Judd began her humanitarian efforts in
the early 2000’s, giving the keynote address on modern slave trade to the 2008
General Assembly of the United Nations, and supporting organization such as
Women for Women International, Women Thrive Worldwide, and her advocacy for the
International Violence Against Women Act. Violence against women comes in many
different forms from sexual objectification to human trafficking. Although Judd
came from a strong, southern, family of mostly women, she knew the effects of
the entertainment industry. She had been scarred from the criticism and
expectation to be thin, to be beautiful, to be perfect.
Judd escaped this violence, but she knew
that millions of other women never would. Her current southern values and loves
of mediation and gardening, are coupled with a devotion to helping women escape
violent behaviors and situations and living for themselves rather than someone
else.
Works Cited
“About the Judds.” CMT Artists. CMT. Web.15 April 2014.
“Ashley Judd.” Bio. Web. 15 April 2014
“Biography.” Ashley Judd. SearchViz. Web. 15 April 2014.
Allie,
ReplyDeleteYou've done a good job balancing Judd's personal history with her activism to address violence against women. I think you are very astute to observe that her celebrity power was one of the factors that allowed her to resist cultural pressures to embody a specific definition of womanhood, as well as that her own struggle fueled her advocacy. Since most people know of Judd mainly as an actress, it is helpful to know about her education and professional interests outside of Hollywood.
If your group considers Judd, keep thinking about what specific social issue you will use her to represent. Women's rights is a broad topic, although violence against women is one way of narrowing it. She is involved in several projects, so you'll want to draw our attention to specific examples that relate to the topic.
Allie,
ReplyDeleteI think you did a great job using Ashley Judd to represent the issue of violence against women. I feel like I can relate (as we probably all can) to Judd’s Southern values and morals, and as women, it emotionally affects us in many ways. I absolutely love how in her quote she says we are “described and detailed, our faces and bodies analyzed and picked apart” because we can definitely relate to this in many ways. We are expected to have the perfect bodies and faces, and sometimes males will pick what they “like and dislike” about each individual parts of us which is extremely degrading and unrealistic. Women, throughout time, have suffered much emotional, mental, and physical abuse and been deteriorated by society. I have so much respect for a strong woman like Ashley Judd with an amazing mindset that speaks against this and stands up for women as a whole, because it is what is right.
Allie,
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderfully written piece about Ashley Judd. She is a "hometown" girl around here! It is refreshing and exciting to hear more of her story and why she continues to advocate for such a worthy cause. Perfectionism in itself is a huge issue in our culture. To take something so misused, including distorted images of women in our culture and give them value they deserve is beautiful.
I thought the fact that she was going to go into Peace Corps told much of her character. Its not everyday someone decides to make a commitment like that. Even the fact that it was on her mind in the middle of her finding herself shows compassion. Thank you for sharing!