Gillian Anderson Has Written An Empowering Manifesto For Young Women

When she's not hunting down serial killer Paul Spector (Jamie Dornan) in The Fall or investigating conspiracy theories as Dana Scully on The X-Files, Gillian Anderson writes inspiring tomes for women to help them with their low self-esteem, apparently.

This March, Anderson will release her book titled We: A Manifesto for Women Everywhere, with London-based journalist Jennifer Nadel, to help young women – especially teenagers – address their lack of confidence and self-love.

At a Cinema Society party for her upcoming book, Anderson explained the inspiration behind her latest endeavor: 'I was moved by the fact that teen suicides are at the highest they have ever been.

'There is so much low self-esteem in girls, and so much self-hate that I keep reading about. My first idea for a book was something that would help to lift girls out of that place of negativity,' she added.

Based on nine guiding principles – honesty, acceptance, courage, trust, humility, peace, love, joy, and kindness – the American-born actress said the book will focus on helping young women act selflessly and overcome their low levels of self-worth.

'I know for myself, and I think for my daughter, I haven't really had many female mentors in my life, and I haven't had many people I could look at to guide me.

Anderson – whose third series of The Fall has just finished airing in the UK – said that she wrote the book, in part, for her younger self but is quick to point out that her and Nadel's words don't claim to provide concrete answers to overcoming life's on-going struggles.

'This book isn't about what we've figured out. We were both very honest in the book about our trials and tribulations, where we have tried things and failed, and what we have learned over the years. What has worked and hasn't worked,' she said.

Her co-writer Nadel added: 'It doesn't come from any lofty height. It just comes from the place that, if you can talk honestly about what is going on, and really share your vulnerability — rather than putting a gloss on life and pretending everything is fine — life would be so much easier.'

Another book to add to 2017's reading list, then.

Katie O'Malley

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Katie O'Malley is the Site Director on ELLE UK. On a daily basis you’ll find Katie managing all digital workflow, editing site, video and newsletter content, liaising with commercial and sales teams on new partnerships and deals (eg Nike, Tiffany & Co., Cartier etc), implementing new digital strategies and compiling in-depth data traffic, SEO and ecomm reports. In addition to appearing on the radio and on TV, as well as interviewing everyone from Oprah Winfrey to Rishi Sunak PM, Katie enjoys writing about lifestyle, culture, wellness, fitness, fashion, and more.