If there’s anything I know for sure, it’s that society loves boxes. Pamela Anderson knows this sentiment firsthand, as society has boxed her in as an infamous sex symbol even after the release of countless documentaries and articles, shining light to the public on the trials and tribulations she’s faced. Also highlighted are her massive philanthropic efforts, yet somehow she still remains in the padded room society has put her in.
After watching the documentary Pamela, A Love Story, I was truly moved. Her compassion for human and animal rights radiated through the screen. Pamela’s involvement with PETA was a massive topic of conversation throughout the documentary, and after doing some research into her philanthropic efforts, I was only further inspired by her as a person. In addition to being an honorary director of PETA, Anderson also has displayed valiant efforts supporting Aids Life, Cool Earth, Feed the Children, Green Peace, The Skatepark Project , and much more. She even went on to start her own eponymous charity, the Pamela Anderson Foundation, or PAF. PAF has been around for 25 years and their mission is to use its resources and donations to “support organizations and individuals that stand on the front lines in the protection of human, animal, and environmental rights.” Pamela has used her platform to give a voice to the silenced and voiceless. This should be widely celebrated rather than the exploitation she has faced.
Another prime example of a female celebrity breaking out of their predisposed box is Audrey Heburn. Audrey Hepburn is most well known for her work as an actress, but what many people don’t know is the role she played as a UNICEF Goodwill ambassador. UNICEF, or the United Nations Children’s Fund, is an organization where Hepburn was on the receiving end of their benefits before becoming an actress. After gaining her spot in the limelight, Audrey decided to use her platform for the greater good. She spent much of her time visiting UNICEF programs to be a hands-on help, as well as launching programs and advocating as much as she could. I believe the legacy of advocacy of both Pamela Anderson and Audrey Hepburn will far surpass these legends more than any photoshoot or film could ever do.
This leaves me to ask myself when the “it girls” of our generation will take a page from Pamela and Audrey’s book and start using their platform to benefit the greater good. When will the philanthropist box take precedent over the more surface-level boxes we all know and hate today? I mean seriously, it is alarming the way nobody seems to be using their platform to advocate, educate, and donate to issues such as climate change, homelessness, and animal abuse awareness. Instead, it seems they are promoting overconsumption and unrealistic beauty standards. By no means am I saying that content creators have bad intentions, but I just wonder in a world full of trends when will giving back be the next big trend? Hopefully when it does it will stick.
Words by Carly Rosiello.
Graphic by Emily Strycharz.