To celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8, 2016, Emma Watson turned the Empire State Building in New York City pink. She is also actively working on her global campaign on women’s rights.

A Pink Empire State Building

Watson announced on Twitter her latest activity and invited people to look outside their windows at dusk. She and Chirlane McCray, First Lady of New York City, turned the famous landmark pink and posted a photo of themselves on the observation deck of the structure.

A lot of people forwarded their appreciation for the “Harry Potter” star’s efforts, particularly J.K. Rowling, who complimented Watson on Twitter. Rowling pointed out the HeForShe Twitter emojis that recently became available and described Watson as an inspirational woman. Chirlane also thanked Watson for inspiring feminists in New York and around the globe.

Watson’s Feminist Campaign

At present, the British actress announced in an interview with Paper Magazine that she is on a one-year break from acting to focus on women’s rights on a global scale. Watson was appointed a UN Global Goodwill Ambassador in 2014. The "Regression" star founded HeForShe, an organization that aims for gender equality. She shared how she experienced sexism personally in the past.

Watson shared to Esquire U.K. that she had her behind slapped while leaving a room and felt scared while walking home because there were people following her. Watson added that she does not want to share about these experiences often because the women she is fighting for have had worse backgrounds.

To emphasize her point on women’s rights, she graced the cover of Esquire U.K.’s “Women & Men” issue with actor Tom Hanks. The veteran actor is also her co-star in the upcoming summer film “The Circle.”

“If you look at his career, a lot of his biggest movies – Big, A League of Their Own, Sleepless in Seattle – have been with female directors,” Watson said about Hanks. Watson also praised Hanks for the way he discusses issues like gay rights, the environment, AIDS, veterans and children, among others. Watson said that Hanks speaks with “such a humble grace and a credible voice.”

Although she was previously called a “feminazi” by critics, Watson remains steadfast in her campaign on gender issues. Watson said that they are not supposed to talk about money because others might think that she is being difficult or a diva. However, there is a willingness at present to hit back and keep trying to do the right thing and making sure that it happens. She added that people can call her whatever they want because it does not just affect her.

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