Liz Smith | 09/22/2008 1:00 am

Liz Smith: The Importance of Angelina Jolie

In response to: What three women would you nominate as the most powerful in the world and why?

1. Oprah Winfrey because she already demonstrates her power all over the world as an advocate for women’s issues, the most prominent black woman of her time, one of the wealthiest and most influential in matters of health, culture and philanthropy. She whomped up one million new voters for Barack Obama. She has spearheaded charities in South Africa. When she talks, people listen. She is universally popular as well, a real crossover between blacks and whites.

2. Condoleezza Rice because she is the U.S. Secretary of State. She is much more powerful and prestigious these days because the Bush administration has superseded the neo-cons like Cheney and company with Condoleezza having more visibility and diplomatic clout than any other female on the globe. The position may be tenuous and could end with the end of the Bush administration. But for the moment and with Russia growling at Europe, she is really quite indispensable.

3. Don’t laugh — Angelina Jolie. As reformed weirdo sex object, she is now a big player in international philanthropy as it regards saving and improving the lives of children. She is living her lessons influencing young people. And she and her husband are giving away money hand over fist. Although she may be a movie star, she is a successful one in a business where there are very few of her ilk anymore. She is becoming a role model for the large worldwide group of indulgers in pop culture and she is deadly serious. She is also one of the most beautiful women in the world and she has an influence that is larger even than she thinks it is. She is oddly, also, humble about her place in the universe. She, of all the stars in movies, doesn’t even have a press agent.

Click here on this text to read my New York Post column.

Read more about: Angelina Jolie, Condoleezza Rice, Oprah Winfrey

25 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

Hey now, she was never a weirdo! She just danced…eccentrically…to the beat of her own drum. However, while we’re on the topic of “weird”, I do agree that it’s so unfathomably odd how humble she is about everything. One comment she made semi-recently will forever stay with me: “I make a STUPID amount of money to do what I do for a living.” - this is SO TRUE. Why are our actors, beloved or not, getting paid more than our teachers, doctors, etc.?!

By KryssiK on 09/22/2008 1:32 am

When i read the title of your post, i didn’t laugh. instead, i felt as i do when i hear (again and again) about Winfrey and others like she and Jolie: Now, don’t get irritated if you can help it but I am confused as to why someone with such power wouldn’t set some of it on the people here. (the US). Try not to click away…we have a population of women, single moms, uneducated, unaware, unable here that could use and would flourish under the programs set up in the countries they have selected for their attention. I don’t know the politics, the red tape or the hurdles to accomplish such ventures here - yes i’d be happy to try my hand at it and do on a one by one effort. Cash is a little low these days for a regular girl. :^) And whether anyone thinks those in need here for family, life and work skills wouldn’t appreciate it and spread that benefit…well that’s plain wrong. I know; Oprah has here favorite things, her big give aways etc, but that’s giving fish not teaching to fish.

By CynthiaSchultz on 09/27/2008 1:37 pm

I’m NOT maligning Jolie or Winfrey - musing on ‘why not here’…yes we are supposedly rich - but that discussion is genuinely relative (it is for me anyway) when the scales are so unbalanced.

By CynthiaSchultz on 09/27/2008 1:45 pm

Uh, by “she”, I mean Angelina…in case that wasn’t obvious. Heh.

By KryssiK on 09/22/2008 1:33 am

Well I’m going to comment here and some might take it negative and some might see where I’m coming from, we will see I am sure…. I have a hard time, especially now, Praiseing these money makers & Movie Stars, although they do, do Good with the giving to the needed, They do not give to their own.. .Americans are going without especially these days and yet they never give to their own not that I hear of anyway….If I am wrong Put me in Check! I don’t see or hear of any Big Money makers or MOVIE STARS,,,, AAAA. like Angelina, giving to the USA its always in other countries..and speaking of which…. there are babies here in America Angelina and all others who do the same thing…that need and want to be adopted!! why keep bringing in other countries babies? These babies in the USA need love too..and food and clothes and medical……..a n d……………………………..

By ObamaBiden on 09/22/2008 2:39 am

It’s bizarre to me that somehow, someone is ALWAYS capable of putting a negative spin on something that is truly humanitarian by definition. What kind of world are we living in when a wealthy person donating their time and money to these causes is even QUESTIONED?! It’s not an issue of nationalism but where in the world everything seems the MOST despondent. For Angelina, that place is apparently NOT America. And why should it be when we have the audacity to boast ourselves as the “richest, greatest country in the world” while doing our damnedest to hide our flaws? Angelina is far from perfect, but by golly, she contributes more to the world/human race than I personally can say I have! Nor anyone else I know!

By KryssiK on 09/22/2008 3:57 am

WHOA! Now, I got ticked off! Where and how do you think so much of the rebuilding in Louisiana and the Gulf Coast is happening? It certainly didn’t start with our government jumping in to help! Instead, the Hollywood types began to avail themselves of their money AND their hands to pitch in and help! Good grief woman get your facts right… please! There are a lot of people like Angelina, Brad, Oprah, Bon Jovi, and more helping out with the reconstruction efforts! And, with the elderly, children, and so on… Don’t you be messin’ with my Shero’s - grin.

By RoH on 09/22/2008 4:04 am

my comments had nothing to do with ANYTHING you typed here…i was referring to feedings and adoptions of children I never said they didnt help rebuild states………daaaaaaaaaaaaa

By ObamaBiden on 09/22/2008 6:40 am

but sense you opened that can of worms i felt froggy and jumped

By ObamaBiden on 09/22/2008 6:43 am

Adopt here FIRST…Feed OUR kids FIRST….Clothe OUR kids FIRST… Get OUR kids their meds FIRST…Educate OUR kids FIRST….. LOVE OUR KIDS FIRST THEN….. take care of the World!!

By ObamaBiden on 09/22/2008 2:46 am

But…why must this be turned into an “Us Against Them” type of [pseudo-]argument? We are all members of the human race; “borders ain’t nothin’ but lines on a map”. Angelina has stated that she essentially does not believe in nationalism (nor do I; it’s what attracted me to her), so that is probably why putting America first is not something that necessarily comes naturally to her. Years ago, a professor of mine had us all read an excerpted essay from a book that explained why putting your OWN (family, community, country, etc) first before strangers is, by nature, actually UNethical. That lead to quite a controversial discussion in the classroom. God I wish I could recall the name or even the author - total brain lapse here, UGH! When it comes down to it, traveling to other parts of the world (places that are so much MORE worse off that it’s noticeable from an aerial view) is a more eye-opening, disturbing experience than you seem to be giving credit for.

By KryssiK on 09/22/2008 3:50 am

I’m not turning this into an argument..But I Can and Will if need Be. I was voicing my opinion and I quote myself here …” that I have heard of /about.”..I’m talking to you both! I only hear and see the Wealthy coming back from other countries with babies on their hips, never an American child, I’m glad that they are helping HOWEVER I think it should start at HOME first! Do u see ANY other Countries doing that for us?. NO .. Did they come over here and fix new york up after they did that too us..on 911 NO … I’m sick of taking care of other countries/ I’m sick of seeing families including mine doing without because someone waged War on MY country we go to war to HELP another country and WE have to PAY to have it Rebuilt for them! yes it is the American way! ……….when we could afford it… We CAN”T afford it any longer WE ARE in billions trillions of dollars of debt enough is enough!!! It is time to “START AT HOME” I DONT know about you or your mommy and daddy but I didn’t have a silver spoon sticking out my Ass and Mouth when I was born! everything WE had My Father worked his butt off for! He is 75 and still has to work because of Our government! Or Bush You tell me!! My Father went and fought for this country for HIS country! He should not have to Be working still to this day! I can go to Wal-Mart and stand behind 2 foreigners who are dressed to the hilt buying their grocerys, a cart full consisting of T-Bone steaks Pork chops all the good stuff and when they are told how much it is, whip out a food stamp card like its no bodies bussiness! smiling and laughing about it!! They are laughing because they just got another one over on the USA! Something is out of focus on this picture Ladies. I Greatly think it is wonderful that Matt damon is over there helping feed those people! Im not a hater Im a realist And America is hungry for CHANGE!

By ObamaBiden on 09/22/2008 6:29 am

It does become an argument when you completely tune out what thoughts someone else offered in response to your statement, which was already narrow-minded and extremist to start. It is evident in this post that you completely missed my point, i.e. Angelina does not believe in nationalism (nor do I), and yet you CONTINUE your rant about America vs. other countries. What reason does it serve to keep yapping about it, then? It’s like preaching your religion to an atheist.

By KryssiK on 09/22/2008 4:38 pm

and when you are sitting and eating a sandwich out of the trash for your dinner HERE IN AMERICA, remember we had this conversation! see who comes to feed you it wont be the other countries! they Will NOT come to our rescue!

By ObamaBiden on 09/22/2008 7:03 am

Lipstick Gala, it seems that your life has given you great cause to be angry, and for that I am empathetic. But, I am sad to hear you misdirect that anger at people who are trying to do good elsewhere in the world. Yes, the people of the world need help. But as you rightly declare, so do the people of our own country. Perhaps you can put your frustration aside and “be the light you want to see” in your own neighborhood. You may not have the tremendous financial resources of the Jolie-Pitts, but you can offer just as much heart and what time you can spare. It will not only help others here in America, I believe it will help you as well.

By Susan B on 09/22/2008 3:22 pm