The “Glitteratti” of Good and Green

By:  Stephanie Benney

When I was a little girl, I used to dream of being a famous celebrity, who sang in front of millions of adoring fans, won awards for my outstanding performances on the silver screen and flirted with the cameras of paparazzi as I glided down the red carpet in a one-of-a-kind, custom-made Hollywood designer gown.  I remember the story my Godmother still tells of me as a toddler standing in my bedroom window, which overlooked the rest of the neighborhood, entertaining the entire block by singing at the top of my lungs into my Barbie microphone.

While I still have not hit my celebrity status and times have definitely changed, I still like to once in a while, live vicariously through my favorite celebrities.   I love to track their fashion trends, read about the swanky events and parties they attend, but also inform myself of the good that many of them do.   My belief, is that a celebrity has a duty to the public to use their high-profile, notoriety and voice for the greater good of raising awareness and money for charities and special causes.  If they are going to be role models for our children and young adults, they need to use their popularity in a positive manner.

While we are bombarded with headlines and magazine covers of “Brangelina” and their 9,999th adopted child and Cameron Diaz’s Prius-driving status and her tittle as “Queen of Green”, there are celebrities that are doing much more behind the scenes and out of the limelight.  Tori Amos has served as such an inspiration to me, since my amazing college roommate, Meredith, introduced me to her.  Not only do we have the same background in classical piano training, we also share a bond in both being victims of sexual assault.  Her fiery hair echos the fierce warrior inside the body of a tiny woman.  In 1994, Tori co-founded RAINN, which stands for The Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network.  RAINN connects victims with local rape crisis centers and the organization has been named one of America’s 100 Best Charities.

Ok, there is no question that Justin Timberlake is sooooooooo easy to look at and to listen to.  On top of his musical and acting skills, he has sharp entrepreneurial instincts.  Justin has invested $16million of his own in creating a Memphis golf course.  What is the big deal about a golf course, you ask?  The $16 million went to making it the GREENEST golf course in the entire U.S.!  It features native landscape, irrigation systems to utilize rainwater and electric golf carts powered by solar panels.  Hmmmm, I think this is definitely one for the “Bucket List”.

Model turned Mom, Josie Maran, was inspired by motherhood to create an entire line of non-toxic cosmetics.  Not only are her products made free of parabens, fragrances and petrochemicals, they are also not tested on animals.  The packaging is also recycleable or biodegradable.

Quite arguably, the most physically attractive man in the “biz” is George Clooney.  As Carrie Bradshaw once stated in Sex and the City, “Clooney is like a Chanel suit”.  While he very well may be aesthetically beautiful, so is his heart.  Clooney has been one of the celebrities most involved in charities and special causes.  On top of his support for causes such as:  cancer, AIDS and the environment, George is a true advocate of peace.  He supports Realizing the Dream, a non-profit focused on continuing the great work of Dr. and Mrs. King.  He also founded Not On Our Watch, an organization devoted to stopping genocide in the Sudan.  Millions of dollars have gone to those in the region suffering from rape, abuse, incest and poverty.

There are many who we can choose to act as our idol or role model.  We need to make sure we are choosing the right ones – the ones with a positive message to spread.

Stephanie Benney is a “Sustainable Visionary” and also the new Pittsburgh Representative for Fuzed Marketing, where she helps companies increase their brand presence. stephaniebenney@yahoo.com