From the iconic movie, A League of Their Own to the small screen in Commander in Chief, Geena Davis’ characters are inspirational women. Whether she is playing a female president or a divorced woman taking control of her life, she continues to be the epitome of an independent woman. Davis has had a succesful professional life and still manages to maintain a strong family life. Before Davis speaks during the 2014 All-American Weekend, here are ten facts you should know about her:
1. She was born as Virginia Elizabeth Davis in Wareham, Massachusetts.
2. She was voted “Most Talented” in high school in 1974.
3. She was a Saturday window mannequin for Ann Taylor before signing with a modeling agency.
4. She auditioned for Saturday Night Live in 1979.
5. She speaks Swedish and went to school in Sweden as an exchange student.
6. She had her first child when she was 46 years old.
7. She is a member of Mensa, the renowned genius society. Geena has an IQ of 140. At Boston University, she studied drama and learned how to play four instruments: the flute, the organ, the piano and the drums.
8. She is a partner of UN Women. Davis and UN are analyzing the stereotypes of women in international media. The UN created this partnership with the hope that they can have a positive influence in changing how femals are portrayed. In 2013, Davis said that “if girls can see it, they can be it”.
9. Davis is not only an Academy Award winning actress, but also an accomplished archer. She made the 1999 Olympic semifinals for the American team.
10. She found the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media to support gender balance and decreasing female stereotypes in entertainment, especially children’s programming.
To learn more about the actress and her cause, head to the event on October 18th. Read more about the event here!