Academy-award winning actress Reese Witherspoon talked about female ambition in her impassioned speech at the Glamour's 25th annual “Women of the Year” on Monday.

Witherspoon was honoured at the ceremony for her strong character roles for women in the film industry and her co-founding of the Pacific Standard Films.

In her speech, the actress pointed out that women's ambition is not a trait to be feared but embraced fully. The “Legally Blonde” star explained that there has been an ongoing sexism in Hollywood and there should be a solution. The actress said her ambitiousness began at the age of 14.

“I just kind of started wondering lately why female ambition is a trait that people are so afraid of. Why do people have prejudiced opinions about women who accomplish things? Why is that perceived as a negative,” she asked the audience.

Throughout her career, Witherspoon played the roles of an empowered women like Elle Woods in “Legally Blonde,” June Carter in “Walk The Line” and Tracy Flick in “Election.”

In 2012, Witherspoon and Australian producer Bruna Papandrea co-founded Pacific Standard Films, a production company devoted to find and produce better roles for women. The production company already has two award-winning and respected films, “Gone Girl” and “Wild” in its kitty.

Witherspoon’s production company now has over 25 films in development and three television shows, featuring female lead roles of different ages, races and jobs.

“Some are astronauts, some are soldiers, some are scientists; one is even a Supreme Court justice. They’re not just good or bad; they’re bold and hunted and dangerous and triumphant, like the real women we meet every single day of our lives,” she said.

Witherspoon urged women to own their ambitions and cherish their abilities in the end of her speech. “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? 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.”

During the Glamour’s red carpet, the actress revealed to E! News that her daughter Ava Phillippe helped her “tweak” her speech. Witherspoon said she practiced reading her speech several times and her daughter provided feedback.

Witherspoon is currently married to Jim Toth. She is a mother of three kids, Ava Phillippe, 16, Deacon Phillippe, 12 and Tennessee Toth, 3.

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