Geena Davis

Growing up on the East Coast, Geena was always an excellent student. Her determination in school allowed her to be an exchange student in Sweden, and it was shortly after this experience that she began formal training to be an actress. Going to college at The School for the Arts in Boston, Massachusetts, Geena graduated with a BA in drama. Starting off in modeling, she was soon discovered by director Sydney Pollack, who placed her in the 1982 classic, Tootsie.

Her career as a television and movie actress skyrocketed, landing her amazing roles in movies like The Accidental Tourist (1988) and Thelma and Louise (1991), winning awards for both performances. Over the years Geena has appeared in multiple movie genres, showing off her versatility as an actress. Likewise, her desire to be involved with projects that have a strong message is highlighted by her preference toward independent films.

Her passion for intelligent and thought-provoking entertainment has probably fueled her latest endeavor, The Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media (GDIGM). In 2005 Geena was watching a child’s television program with her young daughter. Geena immediately noticed the lack of female characters. Furthermore, the female characters that were being presented were complete stereotypes. From that moment on it has been Geena’s mission to help change this gross oversight in the media. She has also become an advocate for gender equity through Title IX statutes.