Viola Davis: A Champion for Education and Social Justice

Viola Davis: A Champion for Education and Social Justice

Viola Davis is a talented actress known for her work in films such as “The Help” and “Fences,” as well as the hit TV series “How to Get Away with Murder.” However, beyond her success in Hollywood, Viola is also an advocate for education and social justice. She has spoken openly about her own experiences growing up in poverty and how education was instrumental in helping her break free from that cycle. Her advocacy work today reflects this passion for education and the belief that access to quality schooling can transform lives.

Viola’s Childhood Struggles

Viola grew up in poverty, born on August 11th, 1965, on a farm in St. Matthews, South Carolina. Her mother worked as a maid and factory worker while raising six children alone after divorcing Viola’s father when she was just two years old. Money was scarce, making it challenging for the family to make ends meet.

Despite these challenges, Viola’s mother instilled a love of learning into all of her children through books and storytelling. During an interview with People Magazine in 2016, Viola said:

“My mom always told me stories about people who had gone to school or read books or traveled somewhere else…I realized early on that whatever I wanted to do would happen because of my education.”

Education became one of the most important things to Viola after seeing firsthand how much it could change someone’s life.

Breaking Free Through Education

As a child living below the poverty line during the Civil Rights era, Viola experienced discrimination first-hand due to both race and class differences. She attended public schools where resources were limited compared with those available at wealthier schools.

However difficult it may have been at times; she didn’t let these obstacles deter her from pursuing an education actively. After graduating high school near the top of her class despite facing numerous challenges, she earned a scholarship to Rhode Island College. She then went on to earn her Master of Fine Arts degree from the prestigious Juilliard School in New York City.

Viola’s success shows how education can create opportunities for people who may not have had them otherwise. In an interview with The Root in 2011, Viola said:

“I am a firm believer that the only way out of poverty is through education. Period.”

She went on to explain that providing quality education and resources to all students is vital to breaking the cycle of poverty. This belief has driven much of her advocacy work throughout her career.

The Importance of Accessible Education

Viola uses her platform as an actress and public figure to speak out about issues surrounding education and social justice regularly. One issue that she has been vocal about is access – or lack thereof – to quality schooling for children who come from low-income families or underprivileged communities.

In 2018, Davis spoke at a rally advocating for more funding for public schools in Los Angeles County, where nearly three-quarters of students come from low-income households:

“I want every child…to receive the same kind of education I did,” she said during her speech at the rally. “I want them to have access…[and] be able to go into museums just like anybody else.”

Her commitment doesn’t stop there; she also works with organizations such as Hunger Is, which focuses on ending childhood hunger by increasing awareness, fundraising and advocacy efforts around breakfast programs at school.

In addition to these initiatives focused specifically on children’s needs, Viola also advocates for broader social justice issues including racial equality and gender empowerment in Hollywood.

Social Justice Work

Viola’s commitment extends beyond just promoting accessible education; it includes fighting against systemic racism and other forms of oppression within our society. In recent years, she has become increasingly vocal about these issues while using her platform as an actress and public figure to raise awareness.

In 2017, Viola became the first black actress to win an Emmy award for Best Actress in a Drama Series. During her acceptance speech, she spoke about how important it is for Hollywood to go beyond just representing diversity on screen:

“You cannot win an Emmy for roles that are simply not there,” Viola said during her speech. “The only thing that separates women of color from anyone else is opportunity.”

She has continued to advocate for greater representation and recognition of marginalized communities within the film industry, both in front of and behind the camera.

Conclusion

Viola Davis’ story serves as a reminder that education can be transformative and break cycles of poverty. Her advocacy work shows that accessible education should be a right afforded to all children – regardless of their socioeconomic background. Not only this but also ensuring equity and equality across race, gender, ability, orientation, etc., must become a priority for society at large.

Viola’s dedication towards social justice issues demonstrates how we can all use our platforms – whether big or small – to make a difference in our communities and ultimately create more equitable societies. Her inspiring journey provides hope for those who may face similar challenges while also highlighting what’s possible when we invest in quality education and support each other along the way.