As an icebreaker in my English class our teacher asked the simple question, “who is your hero?” Students' answers around the room consisted of their mothers and fathers, soldiers fighting for our country, Oprah, etc. -- all very relatable answers. Mine was a little different.
“Definitely Angelina Jolie.” I deserved the blank stares. I can only imagine the guys in the room immediately assuming it is because of her fame and beauty and the girls in the room wondering, “Wait, the b*** who stole Brad from Jennifer?” The truth behind it is Angelina is a lot more than an amazing actress and beautiful face -- she is a hero to refugees all over the world.
Since 2001, Jolie attended actual field missions in countries such as Cambodia, Kenya, Syria and Iraq to personally meet with refugees. She spent time in Haiti after the earthquake, not just for publicity but to help people. That is what makes her different.
In 2006, the Jolie-Pitt Foundation was established to help eradicate extreme rural poverty, protect from natural disasters, and conserve wildlife by donating millions of their own dollars to Doctors Without Borders and Global Action for children. It was recorded that in 2006 alone, Brangelina donated $8 million, but that is not what makes her a hero to me.
When asked what she hopes to accomplish she said, “Awareness of the plight of these people. I think they should be commended for what they have survived, not looked down upon.” She cares about the people -- she wants them to be heard, recognized, commended.
On top of the humanitarian work she does yearly, she recently directed her second movie, Unbroken, a true story about a man who was a prisoner during WWII; she wanted his story to be heard. All of the things I listed hardly touch on the good she has done for the world and that is why she is an angel to me.
Angelina Jolie uses her fame to do good. She speaks for those who do not have a voice. She looks into the eyes of refugees and not only gives them hope for a better future, but helps provide it. If that is not a hero, then I don’t know what is.
