Ashley Judd has been using her voice to combat sexism in the film industry for years, and now the Women’s Media Center is recognizing the two-time Golden Globe-nominated actress for doing just that. WMC will honor Judd with their Speaking Truth to Power Award at their upcoming awards ceremony, set to be held October 26 in New York City. A press release announced the news.
The “Twin Peaks” star made headlines this week as the first actor to be a named source and share her harrowing experience with Harvey Weinstein in what’s become international news. But Judd has been taking on misogynist bullies for a long time. She’s the “chair of the Women’s Media Center Speech Project, which raises awareness about the scope and toxic impact of online harassment and its costs to women’s civic and political participation,” the press release notes. And she’s been “working for social justice internationally — through NGOs, grassroots organizations, governments, and supranational bodies — since 2004.”
“It’s crucial to call out those like Harvey Weinstein who misuse big power, and also to reward those who risk what small power they have by telling the truth,“ said Gloria Steinem, co-founder of the Women’s Media Center. “I would like to pay tribute to my friend Ashley Judd, who travels the world encouraging women and girls to tell the truth about being prostituted and sex trafficked, and who now has led global truth-telling in the most powerful way — by example.”
Judd’s acting credits include “Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood,” “Double Jeopardy,” and “Kiss the Girls.” She most recently starred in the sex trafficking drama “Trafficked.”
Other 2017 WMC honorees include “Grace and Frankie” star Jane Fonda — who co-founded WMC — and broadcast journalist María Elena Salinas. Oscar nominee Salma Hayek, late-night host Samantha Bee, and “A United Kingdom” director Amma Asante are among WMC’s previous honorees.