women of gumption: Mandy Moore
In our inaugural women with Gumption profile, a place where we will highlight women of style who I find inspiring, we’re discussing the loveliest of the lovely, Mandy Moore.
image via Bustle Magazine @ bustle.com
Allow me to make this proclamation. I am a fan of women. I am aware that is a pretty simple statement, but it is true. I come from a matriarchal family, with my grandmother Margaret (who I refer to as my personal Dahli Lama) and my Mama with whom I find myself to be far too similar too. I was raised to know that women have an unequivocal ability to be powerful. Again, not that this information is new or groundbreaking, but in today’s cultural climate, I think it is paramount that I vocally pay tribute to the female voices that I find heartening.
That being said, I couldn’t think of a better way to begin this series of profiles than with a personal favorite female force, Mandy Moore. A fellow 80’s baby (we’re both 1984 to be exact), we have had the privilege to watch Moore grow up in front of our eyes. From her successful music career (we will forever STAN her 2007 record Wild Hope as one of the most influential of our lives. If you haven’t heard it, you must. Start with the track Gardenia) and smart film choices (Because I Said So, Saved!, American Dreamz, Dedication, Romance & Cigarettes) , we now get to watch the star that she is every week on the NBC hit show This is Us.
Mandy Moore as Rebecca Pearson on NBC’s This is Us (image via TV guide)
Moore has been celebrating a renaissance of sorts with her career, although I have always been a devoted fan, and the work she and her stellar co stars put forth every week is miraculous to watch. She also plays 137 versions of her character!! Ok, maybe thats an exaggeration, its only 134. But still, you cannot deny the star power of Moore, i’m sorry, but you just can’t (just give her the damn EMMY already!). The show has garnered attention and accolades from every voting body known to man and with that has come some truly jaw dropping red carpet moments created to perfection in collaboration with her style team, consisting of the ethereally chic Cristina Ehrlich and the wickedly talented sisters of STRIIIKE. Do pop through the images below to get a sense of what I’m speaking of…
image credits from left: fustang, entertainment tonight, footwear news, instyle, et canada, popsugar, gofusyourself, entertainment tonight, austin chronicle
But why is she a Woman with Gumption, you ask?
Along with a successful career, and talented husband (Taylor Dawes Goldsmith is the lead singer of the band Dawes, and they are legit. Seriously… check them out), Moore is passionate about people. A self proclaimed political junkie, Moore is using her platform to encourage the youth of America to be active in the use of their right to vote. She’s also an avid Animal lover, who has used her instagram more than once to help find animals in need a new forever home (I have been sooo close to adopting a cat because of her and its happened more than once!!). She has also recently inked a production deal in the effort to put forth and develop more projects that inspire her, and that feature women centered stories, as well as ones with a musical inclination.
In summation, she is using her visibility in the world to hopefully create positive change, both in what we see in entertainment, and how we interact in life; but she does it all with a gentle kindness that is organic and earnest, and that comes from a place of honesty and humility. and if that isn’t Gumption, then I just don’t know what is.
image via @mrreedallen
And lastly, on a personal note, I have to include that she just might be the kindest human alive. Her goodness is innate, and its because of this, that I am thrilled to have her be the first to be named a Woman of Gumption.
