VOLUME II / ISSUE VII / JULY 2018
Although Viola Davis’ childhood was filled with many happy memories, it was also spent in abject poverty and immense shame. She was one of the 17 million kids in this country who didn’t know where the next meal was coming from. She did everything to get food: she stole it and jumped in huge garbage bins for it. Despite her inauspicious beginnings, Davis’ ambition to act came along early in her life when she saw Cicely Tyson’s Emmy-winning title performance in “The Autobiography of Jane Pittman” in 1974. Given her precarious circumstances, it may have been easy for Davis to chalk up her ambition as unachievable, but her sister encouraged her to aspire for the performing arts programs in her area. Davis achieved a degree from Rhode Island College and then attended the prestigious Juilliard School. She became a household name in 2008 with her masterful performance alongside Meryl Streep in “Doubt.” Davis’ work in the film earned her not only a slew of nominations and wins, but also her first Oscar nod. Davis has come a long way since her difficult youth, and while her rise to Hollywood fame and acclaim might seem meteoric, she spent many years quietly and purposefully pursuing her way to the top. Davis has emerged as one of the most important and influential working actresses today, thanks to her mastery of many performance mediums, her transcendent style choices, as well as her compelling awards season and awareness speeches. Because of her first-hand experience with destitution, Davis has since become a vocal advocate for Hunger Is, an organization that provides breakfast to millions of children in need. This fierce woman shows us how she conquered adversity and tribulation to become a force of power.
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VIOLA DAVIS
The Leading Lady