Ten Celebrities Using their Voice for Good!
10 million. That's the average number of followers that a celebrity has on just one social media platform at any given time. How often do we look to our favorite actors and actresses, singers, and storytellers for insight into what's going on in the world, for cues and clues as to what we should be watching out for or taking a stand against? If you're like me then the answer is probably every time you scroll through Facebook or Instagram. We live in a socially charged world where people are beginning to say, “We've had enough; this has to stop!” in regards to many human rights issues. That's why it is so amazing to see many influential people stepping up and speaking out about hard topics such as human trafficking, sexual assault, and harassment. Below are 10 such celebrities who are using their voices and fame to bring attention to these issues:
Ashton Kutcher
Partnering with Demi Moore, Ashton Kutcher created Thorn, an organization that works with tech companies and law enforcement to identify and prevent child sex trafficking. Just last year Kutcher gave a presentation on Capitol Hill about the progress Thorn has made as well as outlining what changes need to be made by the government.
Sophia Bush
The Chicago P.D. star has been very vocal about sexual assault and harassment in the last year. In her fight to give a voice to the voiceless, she has not only been instrumental in the creation of the Time’s Up movement, but she has also come forward with her own stories of sexual assault in the hopes of allowing other victims to feel safe in speaking out .
Gabrielle Union
Actress and activist, Gabrielle Union, has long been an outspoken voice for victims of human trafficking. In addition to advocating for a change to the way we use the term "child prostitute", she has spoken openly about the way that trafficking disproportionately impacts women of color.
Shailene Woodley
While she is probably more well-known for the hard-hitting roles she plays in movies, Shailene Woodley brought the full force of the feisty characters that she plays to her Dressember campaign. This past year the Hollywood star joined forces with the other 8,000+ advocates to bring awareness.
Jen Morrison
The Once Upon a Time star not only participated in the Dressember campaign this past year, but she also auctioned off some of the dresses that she wore during the month of December and donated the proceeds back into the Dressember campaign. Her participation inspired hundreds of fans to get involved in the fight against human trafficking.
Nina Shaw
At a recent ceremony in Hollywood, Nina Shaw said this: “If you want to be a woman in power, then empower other women.” As a co-founder of the Time's Up Movement and Lawyer to the stars, Nina Shaw uses her voice to advocate against sexual harassment and equal opportunity for women.
Reese Witherspoon
From spearheading the Time’s Up movement to speaking out about her own experience with sexual harassment, Witherspoon has become a force to be reckoned with when it comes to standing up to and initiating change in regards to how sexual assault and harassment is handled in our society.
Amber Tamblyn
This Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants star has teamed up with the organization, My Sister by crafting poems that speak to the power we have to change the tune of sexual violence when we speak together. These poems are featured on the shirts that My Sister sells, and other celebrities such as Blake Lively can be seen repping them.
Angelina Jolie
Not only is she a UN Goodwill Ambassador, but Jolie has also been incredibly outspoken about women’s rights and the freedom needed for those caught in human trafficking. She has been part of many documentaries dedicated to raising awareness about sex trafficking, such as Inhuman Traffic, and has also spoken at multiple summits addressing the issue and how we can bring an end to it.
Adam LaRoche
The former White Sox player quit his job with the MLB in 2016 to go undercover with the organization Operation Underground Railroad in the efforts to not only free child sex slaves but to also catch those who would sell and abuse them. Since that time he has become an avid proponent of anti-human trafficking organizations.
XO
About the Author
Katherina Toews sees the world mostly from between the ears of a horse, and wouldn’t want it any other way. She believes that there is nothing that can’t be fixed by sharing tea, chocolate chip cookies, and a good black and white movie with friends. Katherina is currently working outdoors helping people realize their full potential with the assistance of horses.