Black History: Alfre Woodard
"I'm a mom and a wife. That's what I do in the world. That's my identity. Second, I'm an actor." Alfre Woodard
Accomplished actress and activist Alfre Woodard is well-known for her television and movie roles, which has resulted in five Emmy Awards, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, and a Golden Globe. From Crooklyn and Love & Basketball to K-PAX and Desperate Housewives, she has shown herself to be a talented actress with the ability to adapt to any role.
Her first two Emmys were for her role on "Hill St. Blues" as a grieving mother of a child shot by police and on L.A. Law as a rape victim. She has also received awards for roles in the TV movie The Piano Lessons, Miss Evers' Boys, and The Practice. She starred in Down In the Delta, which was directed by Maya Angelou and tells the story of a troubled woman living in the South. Many of the roles she has undertaken speak to issues important to America, thus making her work as an actress particularly relevant.
Despite the long and impressive list of films and shows she has been a part of, she still finds the time for an incredible amount of activism. In 1989, Woodard -- along with other artists and activists such as Danny Glover, Blair Underwood, and Mary Steenburgen -- founded Artists for a New South Africa, a nonprofit organization dedicated to democracy and equality in South Africa and civil rights in the United States. The organization, working in partnership with organizations in South Africa and the United States, "works to make a difference through public education and mobilization, advocacy, grantmaking, media campaigns and the provision of material aid," according to their website.
Her activism does not end there. She has also worked to raise awareness of AIDS and fought against global poverty.
Further awards and distinctions include an ACE Award for her role as Winnie Mandela in the television presentation Mandela, as well as seven NAACP Image Awards and a Women in Film's Crystal Award. She is also a dedicated mother and wife, marrying Roderick Spencer in 1983.
Alfre Woodard has made her mark not only in her roles on the screen, but also her roles as an activist. She put her high-profile to work by highlighting worthy causes that deserve greater attention, and for that she deserves a tremendous amount of admiration and respect.
She has been a surrogate for the Congressional Black Caucus and the Democratic National Committee working to spread the message of inclusion and diversity for all Americans. She is unselfish with her stardom and truly a strong measure of talent, and character amongst entertainers. The DNC is proud to highlight Alfre Woodard as a mother, wife, actor, and a supporter.
For more biographies in celebration of black history month, click here.
