With a platform, a microphone and an audience of millions of viewers around the world, celebrities are increasingly recognising the power of their status and power to inspire, encourage and make change when taking the stage to present or collect awards.

In the past month alone, Meryl Streep has spoken about bullying in Trump's America, Madonna criticised blatant sexism, misogyny and abuse in the entertainment industry and beyond and Critics' Choice Award-winner Viola Davis advocated self-acceptance and embracing who you are, which she calls 'the privilege of a lifetime'.

And now, 81 of the entertainment industry's top players including Lady Gaga, Charlize Theron and Natalie Portman have signed an open letter advocating the improvement and advancement of worldwide education for more than 130 millions girls.

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Drafted by campaigning and advocacy organisation ONE, the letter addresses global leaders, focussing on statistics that show women are among those who are most affected by the lack of access to their basic right of an education.

The letter reads:

In the poorest countries, girls are denied it more often than boys. Education is vital for moving out of poverty. Every additional year of school that a girl completes increases her future earnings, which is good for her family, her community, and her country.

Your education helped you to get where you are today – and it is in your power to help millions of girls to get theirs.

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Please act now, with the right policies and the necessary funds. Show us that politics can work for the people – starting with the people who need it most.

Other influential people in the industry who have signed the letter include include Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively, David Oyelowo, Arianna Huffington, Neil Patrick Harris, Isla Fisher, Robin Wright, Tom Brady, Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg, and U2 frontman Bono, who co-founded ONE in 2004.

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The general public has the opportunity to add their name to the list, which will be delivered to world authorities on 8 March, International Women's Day.

Sign the letter here.

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Katie O'Malley
Site Director

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.