Two Notable Young Women Leveraging Their Surprising Celebrity to Create a Better World

By John Hamerlinck

What if somehow, you suddenly found yourself thrust into the limelight? You’re not a huge star. In a world rampant with social media, however, there are ways to leverage your notoriety. What would you do with 15 minutes of fame? If you are 23-year-old Evanna Lynch, or 18-year-old Martha Collison, you use your recognition to help make the world a better place.

Evanna Lynch is recognizable to fans of the Harry Potter franchise, as Luna Lovegood, one of the series’ most beloved characters. Though her total screen time across four films was probably less than 20 minutes, she had a tremendous impact on her audience, not only because of who Luna was, but also because of who Evanna is as a person.

Lynch, who had suffered from anorexia nervosa as a girl, has dedicated considerable time and energy to the body image and self-esteem issues of young girls. She published a very personal article titled, “Why the Body Bind is My Nightmare,” and has spoken extensively on these issues to groups large and small.

Evanna has also given her time and energy to the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Ireland, and currently serves as a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF Ireland. She has served on the Board of Advisors for the Harry Potter Alliance, a not-for-profit organization with over 275 chapters in 25 countries, and 43 US states. It was created by young people who like Evanna, were inspired by the values embraced in J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter books.

Martha Collison was just 17 when she became the youngest contestant ever on the BBC program, The Great British Bake Off. With her new-found fame how is this now 18 year-old woman spending her gap year before college? Well in addition to some baking-related personal appearances, Martha dedicates a considerable amount of time working with a Christian faith-based NGO to create awareness around the issue of human trafficking.

On her blog, “Baking Martha,” she writes:

“Since Bake Off, I have got involved with a fantastic charity called Tearfund, working with them on their No Child Taken campaign that aims to put a stop to child trafficking. Human trafficking is the world’s fastest growing crime, and I’m sure you’ll agree that it is horrific that an estimated 27 million people are enslaved today.”

That isn’t her only charitable work. Martha recently raised money baking, and by dancing in a six-hour marathon, in support of Comic Relief, the 30 year old, high profile UK charity supporting social justice and anti-poverty initiatives.

In a world where parents are rightfully concerned about the tendency for young people to look to celebrities as role models, in this case it wouldn’t be a bad idea.

Image Credits
Martha Collison: http://www.tearfund.org/en/blog/2015/03/martha_c_mothers_day/
Evanna Lynch: http://www.charity-charities.org/news.php?artid=2854839