Passionate Politics

Ashley Judd’s Fiery Speeches on Favorite Political Causes (VIDEO)

As the actress mulls a Senate run, The Daily Beast looks at the causes on which she has spoken out most passionately.

Ashley Judd is positively passionate about plenty of issues. It was reported this week that the actress and longtime political activist might be mulling a 2014 Senate bid, with her eye on Kentucky Republican Mitch McConnell’s seat. In light of Judd’s potential campaign, The Daily Beast took a look back at some of her favorite causes—and her most impassioned speeches on them.

Sex Trafficking

Judd has long worked to eradicate human trafficking. At Newsweek & The Daily Beast’s 2011 Women in the World Summit, Judd warned of the predators who target young women in the United States.

Wildlife

No cause—or figure—is too big for Judd to take on. In 2009, the actress slammed former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin for her support of aerial wolf hunting.

Mountaintop Removal

Judd’s support for Kentucky goes beyond her love for the university’s basketball team. She made an appearance at the February 2009, I Love Mountains rally in Frankfurt, Ky. to speak out against mountaintop removal.

AIDS

In an April, 2011 interview, Judd told MSNBC’s Chris Matthews about her role as a global ambassador for YouthAIDS, a fundraising and awareness campaign led by Population Services International (PSI).

Malaria

AIDS isn’t the only health issue Judd and PSI are focused on. In 2009, Judd lent her voice to a PSI World Malaria Day PSA.

Women and Girls’ Health

Above all, Judd has always been a vocal advocate for the health and well-being of underprivileged girls and women around the world. At the 2010 GBC Health Awards, Judd spoke about the need for improvements in education, health care, and economic opportunities for girls and women.

Abortion Rights

In 2009, Judd joined forces with NARAL Pro-Choice America, speaking out on behalf of abortion rights.

On Being a Democratic Delegate & Supporting Obama

One of Judd’s biggest concerns was getting President Obama reelected. At the Democratic National Convention, Judd told ABC News about her work as a Democratic delegate, canvassing on behalf of her candidate.

On Her Political Consciousness

What inspired Ashley Judd to become active anyway? As she addressed Ohio delegates at the Democratic National Convention, Judd explained what first sparked her political consciousness.

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Caitlin Dickson

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