America Ferrera

America Ferrera (http://img.timeinc.net/time/time100/2007/images/america_ferrera.jpg)

"It is truly an amazing, wonderful thing that happens when your dreams come true and I just wish that for everybody, that they get to do what inspires them to make a difference in the world", exclaimed America Ferrera as she accepted an Emmy for outstanding actress in comedy series, Ugly Betty. America Ferrera is an ambitious actress and has starred in Ugly Betty, Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, Real Women have Curves, Lords of Dogtown, Gotta Kick it Up!, and Plain Song. She was born on April 18, 1984 in Los Angeles, California. America was the youngest of her six siblings. Her mother pushed college. She started acting at age eight, performing in school and community plays. America has won an Emmy, Alma Award, a Golden Globe and an Image Award.

"Most of us look nothing like models. We count on our kindness and strength to get us through life. The most important thing you wear is your personality." The reason she is one of my heroes is because she is not a slim, anorexic model and she realizes this. She is proud of it. Yet, America is still gorgeous. America Ferrera and the characters she plays represents that you don't have to be a skinny as a bean-pole, wear five tons of make-up model to be beautiful or successful. In the long run, that doesn't have anything to do with it. What matters is that you have talent and that you love what you do.

Ugly Betty (http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_odnGTEvCDwY/SZGpc6TdRUI/AAAAAAAAAxg/ugyfg7jjvno/s400/ugly-betty-america-ferrera-300-032707.jpg)

America is a very active charity worker. She has supported Aids Healthcare, Cancer Research UK, and Peace Games. She is now an ambassador of the Save the Children Foundation. This is what she says about it:

"I couldn't be more excited to support Save the Children in its effort to educate children around the world. When a child learns, the entire community benefits" she said. "It's horrifying to think about the 72 million children who are not in school and may never have the opportunity to learn and grow in a safe environment. I believe that our world can become a much more productive and peaceful place when every child is given the opportunity to attend school."

Although she has had a successful adult life so far, her childhood experience wasn't the best. At a very young age, her father abandoned her family. He was never seen again. They had very little money, being that her mother was a hotel executive who was in charge of the cleaning staff. But all her siblings and her mother were very supportive and important to her. Attending college was important for her and her siblings. I believe this helped her to become so determined and ambitious in life.

At age 24, she is a wonderful role model for girls of all ages. She does charity work, she's determined and ambitious, and she proves that being anorexic doesn't mean anything. This is why she made an impact on my life.