Angelina Jolie Tells Elle Her Advice To Her 3 Daughters: 'A Life Of Service Is Worth Living'
Despite their Hollywood upbringing, Angelina Jolie wants her children to live their lives with a humanitarian mindset. The famous actress especially tells her three daughters the importance of service to others.
Humanitarian Efforts
Jolie talked about her humanitarian efforts and her children in her cover interview for the March issue of Elle magazine. The Oscar winner discussed humanitarian issues with former U.S. Secretary of State John F. Kerry and revealed that she tells her daughters about why "a life of service is worth living."
"I tell my daughters, 'What sets you apart is what you are willing to do for others. Anyone can put on a dress and makeup. It's your mind that will define you. Find out who you are, what you think, and what you stand for. And fight for others to have those same freedoms," Jolie said.
Two of the actress' daughters with Brad Pitt, 11-year old Shiloh and 9-year-old Vivienne, joined their mother for the photoshoot with the magazine. Jolie, a goodwill ambassador and UN special envoy, is also mother to four adopted children: Knox (9), Pax (14), Zahara (13), and Maddox (16).
The mother-of-six reflected on how America helped her achieve the family that she has now and how her daughters have the freedoms because they are Americans. Jolie wished for everyone to have the same right of freedom as her children, adding that people are at their best if they are "fighting for others to have the same rights."
Sexual Violence
In the same interview with Kerry, Jolie discussed some of the sensitive and important topics in today's world, including sexual violence against women. The First They Killed My Father filmmaker talked about the women refugees she met who are survivors of systematic rape. She pointed out that people still treat violence against women as a lesser crime, although in some countries it is less of a taboo discussion. Instead, it is something that people expect their leaders to respond to.
Jolie has been a women's rights activist for the past years. She cofounded the Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative in June 2012 and has been working with several organizations, including NATO, to provide more support for victims of sexual violence.
"I was in Kenya last summer as UN peacekeeping troops received new training, since peacekeepers have been part of the problem. We're working with NATO on training, protection, and getting more women in the military. But there is so far to go," the 42-year-old Jolie told revealed.
Jolie graces the cover of Elle in honor of International Women's Day on March 8.
