The Transforming Woman
Kate Wang
Writer’s Workshop 7/8 A
We should all look up to Meryl Streep, not only because of her incredible acting, but because of her work to inspire young girls to follow their dreams. Meryl Streep is an inspiration and a role model change maker because she is a strong inspiring woman, she encourages people to follow their dreams, and she never fails to inspire many.
Growing up Meryl wasn’t always the respected actress she is today. Born in Bernardsville, New Jersey Meryl didn’t always know she wanted to be an actress. Streep
One reason that to consider Mary Louise Streep a strong and inspiring person is because she’s always stands up for what she believes in. Being an influential ambassador for the “Time’s Up” movement, she encourages women all around the world to follow their dreams and shamelessly stand up against sexual crimes, and promotes equality for women in and out of entertainment. Meryl is also very strong in the fact that she’s a outspoken and successful woman. She grew up hearing that all girls should be quiet and pretty, and in high school, she decided to do just so. Her biography would later go as far as to say that, “High school was her first acting job.” Streep would go on to say that she was not true to herself, she copied her idea of what she thought was the perfect, pretty girl everyone wanted to be.
Another reason Meryl Streep is a role model is her ability to embody anyone. This came in useful when she wanted to be popular. Meryl had everyone fooled that she was the bubbly Homecoming Queen she masqueraded as. Her ability to transform was so uncanny she even had herself fooled, but she soon realized that wasn’t her. “In high school Streep recounted having only two friends and ‘one was my cousin’, she said ‘so that didn’t count,’” says her website, SimplyStreep.com. She believes now that this is one of the most awful things a girl can go through, and through being a powerful feminist, she has empowered young women to know that they are more than just their looks and therefore she has helped prevent pubescent competition between girls in modern high schools.
Another reason Streep is a role model is that she inspires others to follow their dreams. Through her powerful performances in movies such as Kramer vs. Kramer, Devil Wears Prada, and Iron Lady, Streep has made us laugh, cry, and scream. Her uncanny ability to embody anyone is motivational to young actors and artists all over the globe. But, that isn’t the only reason that she helps others follow their dreams. In 1983 Meryl along with her husband, Donald Gummer, founded the Silver Mountain Foundation for the Arts through which she donated $10,000 to a school in Connecticut, and many other projects. But, perhaps the best part about this all is that she did this all quietly and humbly.
In conclusion Meryl Streep is a change maker not only because of her amazing acting, but also because she is embodies transformation, inspiration, and most importantly motivation.
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