The Women to Watch series has highlighted many outstanding women who have made an impact on their industries and paved the way for other women to be successful. These female innovators continue to inspire women all over the world. This month, we put the spotlight on Greta Gerwig.
A well-known name in the film industry, Greta Gerwig is a triple threat as an American actress, screenwriter, and director. When she’s not directing the next big film, she’s focused on being the best mother to her son, Harold.
Greta Gerwig’s Beginnings
Gerwig was born and raised in Sacramento, CA but those Cali ties didn’t keep her tied down when she decided to attend Barnard College in New York City. As a student in the private women’s liberal arts college in Manhattan, Gerwig thought she would write plays while in school and eventually go on to get her master’s in playwriting. However, she ended up getting rejected from all playwriting programs that she applied to. That didn’t stop her though – she dusted herself off and eventually crossed paths with filmmaker Joe Swanberg who cast her into her acting career with “LOL” in 2006. She decided to embrace her awkwardness in this role and continued to progress her acting career. She has starred in a variety of films including:
- “The House of the Devil”
- “Isle of Dogs”
- “Greenberg”
- “20th Century Women”
- “Nights and Weekends”
- “Mistress America”
- “Hannah Takes the Stairs”
- “Frances Ha”
Making the Most of Chaos
From being on set of a new film to taking care of a baby, you can imagine that Gerwig’s life is a little hectic at times. She says that “exhaustion is not something that she has time for,” as she juggles her many roles in life. Her unique disposition is something that has surely moved her through her career and her success. She demonstrates today’s “hustle culture” with grace . She chooses to not work exorbitant amounts of hours to reach success but rather finds the perfect balance between work and personal life.
“Whatever you were prepared for, none of it is how you think, as far as I can tell. There has to be a certain amount of denial that goes on.”
Gerwig is only the fifth woman in history who has been nominated for Best Director – an honor she received at the 2018 Oscars for her film “Lady Bird.” Along with this accolade, she received a nomination for Best Original Screenplay. In 2020, she was nominated for Best Director once again for her adaptation of “Little Women,” and though she didn’t take home the trophy, she was the first woman in Academy Awards history to be nominated not once, but twice! Talk about one badass woman, Greta Gerwig!
More Women to Watch
Along with Gerwig, there are many other incredible women in the world who are perfect examples of being tenacious when it comes to going after their goals. We look forward to seeing what Gerwig continues to do in the film industry as a woman and how she sets the high standard for women directors and actors who will follow in her footsteps. In the meantime, you can catch up on other Women to Watch like first female NBA CEO Cynthia Marshall.
Plus – check out what Hope Smith has been up to with running her own luxury skincare brand, MUTHA,™ and being a mother to her children. Stay up to date with everything going on in her life by following her on Instagram.