Reese Witherspoon took the stage during Glamour's Women of the Year Awards with the same poise and determination that made Elle Woods such an iconic female lead.
According to Glamour Magazine, she began her speech by acknowledging the work all the attendees are doing to change the perception of women and specifically talked to Amy Schumer. "I hope Amy Schumer and all the other incredible nominees that when you consider making your biopic, that you'll give me the rights first, which would be great, " Witherspooon said.
"Although Amy, I’ll have to play your grandmother in the movie (by Hollywood standards), and you’ll probably have to play your own mother," she added, calling out Hollywood's sexist standards.
Witherspoon delivered an inspiring speech, urging women to be ambitious and pursue the things they are told they can't accomplish.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I think we are in a cultural crisis in every field, in every industry. Women are underrepresented and underpaid in leadership positions," Witherspoon said.
"What is it in life that you think you can’t accomplish? Or what is it that people have said that you cannot do? Wouldn’t it feel really good to prove them all wrong?" she asked the audience.
"Because I believe ambition is not a dirty word. It’s just believing in yourself and your abilities. Imagine this: What would happen if we were all brave enough to be a little bit more ambitious? I think the world would change," she said.
In a recent interview, Witherspoon credited her daughter for inspiring her to create more opportunities for women.