2012 Honoree

Andie MacDowell

Enough Project, Actress

“When I started out, there was a feeling that anything was possible. I think it’s tougher for kids now and there seems to be fewer opportunities for them. However, I also have a lot of faith in our youth and believe that they’ll make whatever changes need to be made for them to flourish.”

What do you think of the media’s portrayal of women?

Women have made strides in the media in many ways. For instance, companies like L’Oreal have spokespeople that are in their 50s, 60s, and 70s. This sends the message to women that beauty is not a number.

However, I still believe there is room for growth in supporting how women are portrayed in the media. For instance, too many models still look emaciated and unhealthy. It should not be our goal as women to torture ourselves or allow the media to represent women in a form which looks tortured and malnourished. But, I don’t know that it is only the media’s fault. I would like to know where it starts–who wants to take responsibility for the image of a 5’10 woman weighing a hundred and ten pounds.

Have you seen any changes in the political landscape for women over the past few years? What are they?

I believe we see women being elected and taking stronger roles politically, but I still think when we don’t have equal rights in America, a country that is supposed to be the leading country of the world, we obviously have work to do.

Do today’s young people face a bigger challenge than you did?

So many things have changed because of the economy–when I started out, there was a feeling that anything was possible. I think it’s tougher for kids now and there seems to be fewer opportunities for them. However, I also have a lot of faith in our youth and believe that they are resilient. I believe they’ll make whatever changes need to be made for them to flourish.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

In order to succeed you have to take chances, take risks and work extremely hard.

If you could have dinner with anyone, living or dead, who would it be and why?

I would want to have dinner with Nelson Mandela and Mother Teresa. I would want to have dinner with Nelson Mandela because he is full of empathy, strength, and love. I would want to have dinner with Mother Teresa for the exact same reason.

What is your favorite book (fiction or non-fiction)?

A Fine Balance by Rohinon Mistry.

Can you tell us about one of the biggest challenges in your life that you think helped you become the person you are today?

My parents divorced when I was six. My mother had given up her college education and become a full-time mother, so when she knew she was having problems in her marriage and that she might end up having to fend for herself, she went back to college and got her degree. I saw my mother struggle to survive, and it imprinted on me the importance to maintain my independence. I think women should always have their own education and the ability to take care of themselves.