From a very young age, we all tend to idolize a prominent figure in society, glorifying their accomplishments and striving to mirror their characteristics. We identify strongly with these figures, because we recognize the similarities between us and we view them as a realistic role model.
For me, this person has always been Emma Watson. One of the biggest reasons why I identify so strongly with Emma is my ability to relate with her various life achievements. Whether I was snuggled up on the couch with my sister watching her in " Harry Potter," reading an article on her achievement of graduating Brown, or intently viewing her renowned He For She speech, Emma has served as my role model throughout each pivotal stage of my life.
One of my most fondest memories of my childhood is my father reading the "Harry Potter" series to me and my sister. Cuddled under a heap of blankets, my sister and I would escape reality and get lost in the world of Hogwarts. I was ecstatic when I discovered that the series was going to be made into movies, and eager to finally see my favorite character, Hermione, brought to life. Luckily, Emma Watson did not disappoint. She portrayed Hermione as exactly as I imagined; she was intellectual, bold, pragmatic, and driven. Being the anchor of the trio, she was the voice of reason, and yet somehow still possessed a mischievous side as well. Seven-year-old Jenna became captivated by her, admiring her ambition and her courage. Hermione showed us that nerdy is a good thing and that girls are capable of extraordinary fortitude. From a young age, I felt connected to Emma, and looked at her as a person I wanted to become.
I continued to look up to Emma as I grew older. With every new phase of my life, I felt connected to her in some way. I was starting to think about where I would go to college when she decided to attend Brown University. Emma refused to be viewed as a celebrity, rather, she intended to be treated as a typical student. She desired to attain the fulfillment of an actual college experience. When people sheepishly asked her for her autograph, she politely declined. She became involved on campus; she partook in multiple clubs, and attended various school activities. I admired her so much, not only for her humility, but also for her courage to make herself known as a student rather than the woman who played Hermione. She showed young women the importance of obtaining an education and, while doing so, she demonstrated modesty.
As most of you know, Emma is the voice behind the He For She campaign. In July 2014, she was appointed as a UN Women Goodwill Ambassador. In September of that same year, she delivered an address at UN Headquarters helping launch the campaign, which calls for men to advocate for gender equality. In that speech, she claimed that feminism is "the belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities" and declared that the perception of "man-hating" is something that needs to stop. I applaud Emma for her endeavors because of her approach. For years, feminism has had a bad reputation, because of the way in which women present their anguish concerning inequality. However, Emma has reversed this trend. Her speech and her work for the He For She campaign showcases not only her poise and confidence, but additionally demonstrates her novel way of presenting this issue.
She is welcoming and approachable, yet firm and focused. For these reasons, I still view her as my role model, and intend to conduct myself in the manner she has shown me throughout my years of growing up.
