Reese Speaks Out About Domestic Violence

Reese Witherspoon has made some classic films that have etched their presence on my All Time Favorites list, ones that will always be remembered -- Freeway, Fear, Election, Legally Blonde, American Psycho, Walk the Line.  But even more so, I can't help but love her for speaking out about the dangers and realities of domestic violence in a time when it's treated more like tabloid gossip rather than a real issue.

Reese recently spoke at the World Conference of Women's Shelters, which included 1500 women from 90 different countries.  In explaining the conference to her children, she said "it's a place where thousands of people come together to share information and ideas and how they can best communicate that communities need to help each other."

The community she is in is the entertainment/celebrity kind, and by speaking at this conference and participating in this interview she is walking the talk. We need smart, informed voices in the wake of Rihanna and Chris Brown dismissing the impact their reunion can and will have on their young fans.

I've read many times that it's teenage girls who are most at risk for relationship violence. Teenage girls are also the ones most influenced by their role models.  In discussing her characters and film choices, Reese says, "you don't realize the change you can create, just by creating positive role models."  She explains that once a group of women approached her to tell her that they went to law school because of Legally Blonde.

She also goes on to talk about how she hopes to be a part of a change that ushers in an era where women play a more prominent role as writers, directors and producers within the film industry.  "It's up to us to create the change and educate our sons and our daughters."

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