Emma Watson – Is There Anything She Can’t Do?

Having just watched the entire eight instalments of the Harry Potter franchise (again for me and first time for Francesca), it got us thinking about Emma Watson. Yes she’s an amazing actress, (Harry Potter, Little Women) and an surprisingly talented singer (Beauty and the Beast) but did you know she graduated from New York’s Brown University with a bachelor's degree in English Literature? Or that she’s been listed as one of Time 100 World’s Most Influential People?

She is also a proud feminist and in 2014 was appointed a UN Women Goodwill Ambassador through which, she launched the HeForShe* campaign which aims to support men in advocating for gender equality. During the launch she spoke on how she began questioning gender-based assumptions at age eight when she was called "bossy" - a trait she has attributed to her being a "perfectionist”.

The speech made worldwide headlines from major news outlets, fashion sites and social media platforms. She has also helped launch a legal helpline for people who have suffered sexual harassment in the workplace and joined a G7** gender equality advisory group to help make political and economic advances for women within their own countries.

In 2020, she joined the board of directors of Kering, a luxury brand group, in her capacity as an advocate for sustainable fashion. 

Acting, singing, feminism, advocacy and now sustainable fashion, we can’t wait to see what’s next for Emma!

*HeForShe is a solidarity movement for the advancement of gender equality, initiated by the United Nations. Grounded in the idea that gender inequality is an issue that affects all people, socially, economically and politically, HeForShe is a global effort that seeks to involve men and boys in achieving equality by taking action against negative gender stereotypes and behaviours.

** A political forum consisting of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, The United Kingdom and United States.