At the 2018 Critic’s Choice Awards, Wonder Woman actress Gal Gadot was honored with the #SeeHer award. The award honors a woman who brings “accuracy and integrity, challenging female stereotypes both on screen and within the entertainment industry.”
Patty Jenkins, Wonder Woman‘s director, presented the award to Gadot, saying: “She didn’t do it for the glory. She didn’t do it for the fame. She’s not here for the money. She did it for us. She knew the great importance of this character and what she could mean to the world.”
During her acceptance speech, Gadot talked about her personal relationship with Wonder Woman: “I wanted to portray a strong and independent woman, a real one. The irony is I was cast as Wonder Woman, and all these qualities I looked for I found in her. She’s full of heart, strength, compassion and forgiveness. She takes action when everyone around her is idle. She sets a positive example for humanity.”
Gadot continued: “Wonder Woman also struggles with her own love and hopes. She’s not perfect, and that’s what makes her real. When I started acting, there were very few female-led movies and even fewer female directors. This year, three of the top-grossing films were female-led, and there were eight other films in the top 100 directed by females. Although this is progress, there is still a long way to go. As artists and filmmakers, I believe it’s not only our job to entertain, but our duty to inspire and educate for love and respect. In the past weeks and months, we’ve been witnessing a movement in our industry and society, and I want to share this award with all the women and men who stand for what’s right, standing for those who can’t stand or speak for themselves. My promise is I will never be silent.”
#SeeHer is a movement that advocates for the more accurate portrayal of girls and women in media and advertising. The award goes to a woman who displays “empathy, resilience and courage” as part of this movement, according to #SeeHer co-founder Gail Tifford. All those words describe Wonder Woman. All those words describe Gal Gadot.
