Hollywood actress Reese Witherspoon, who is actively involved in children’s and women’s advocacy organisations, is set to judge a pioneering women’s awards ceremony.

According to reports, the Oscar-winning actress is honorary chairperson of the Avon Foundation, which is teaming up with the Women’s Aid charity to launch the Empowering Women’s Awards, a ceremony to honour females who have survived violence in the home.

The 33-year-old star is delighted to be part of the initiative in which she will oversee the nominations and winners of the awards.

“Domestic violence affects one in four women in the UK and many are suffering in silence. It’s so important that we find a way to reach out in every community and offer our understanding, protection and support,” Witherspoon said.

Apart from Witherspoon, other judges on the panel include British Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s wife Sarah Brown and celebrity TV chef Gordon Ramsay’s wife Tana.

“I’m very proud to be part of the first ever Avon and Women’s Aid Empowerment Awards in association with Marie Claire, drawing attention to the bravery of some incredible women who have stood up against domestic violence, and celebrating the achievements of others who are determined to end this debilitating pandemic,” she added. The award winners will be announced later this year.

From NDTV

Columbia Pictures has made a deal to develop The Pioneer Woman, a romantic comedy that’s being shaped as a potential star vehicle for Reese Witherspoon. The studio has acquired rights to thepioneerwoman.com, a blog by Ree Drummond that details how a detour on a trip from L.A. to Chicago led her to Oklahoma. There, she met the cowboy of her dreams and transformed from spoiled city girl to domestic ranch wife.

Laura Ziskin and Pam Williams will produce. Drummond wrote a bestselling cookbook, and has turned her homespun tales into Black Heels to Tractor Wheels, a book that will be published by William Morrow next Valentine’s Day.

Drummond has a large following for a blog she writes from the cattle ranch that covers everything from cooking to tips on home schooling. The film will explore the fantasy of trading big city living for a wholesome simpler life. Rights to the book are part of the deal brokered by UTA and LJK Literary Management.

From Deadline

Reese Witherspoon goes to Washington to end violence against women and ET’s Kevin Frazier is exclusively interviewing her!

Reese, in her capacity as an Avon Global Ambassador, celebrated Avon’s International Women’s Day event and promoted awareness of violence against women and the launch of the Avon Empowerment Ring. Reese explained that sales of the ring, which sells for $5, will go toward efforts to stop violence against women.

On Wednesday, Reese spoke at a breakfast meeting of the Global Partnership to End Violence Against Women at the Department of State before heading to the International Women of Courage Awards, co-hosted by First Lady Michelle Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, where she also spoke.

Are politics in Reese’s future? Kevin asks, “In [your film] ‘Legally Blonde,’ it was kind of hinted and joked about, but maybe one day [will] you run for office or do something political?”

Reese replied, “Haha, that’s funny Kevin … no. I’m just thrilled to do my part.”

“This is how it starts — little by little by little,” Kevin pointed out.

Reese left the door open, saying, “I don’t know, I have been in Washington quite a bit, maybe I’m getting the bug!”

Reese also spilled the beans about her next project — she’s headed to circus training for her new movie, ‘Water for Elephants,’ co-starring Rob Pattinson and new Oscar winner Christoph Waltz.

For more on Avon and its programs to help women, click here.

I’ve added more than 150 photos to the gallery of appearances from 2010. As ever, Reese looks stunning!

Gallery Links:
- Public Appearances > Appearances From 2010 > An Unforgettable Evening Benefiting EIF’s Women’s Cancer Research Fund
- Public Appearances > Appearances From 2010 > Vera Wang Store Launch

After taking some time out due to a family bereavement, I’m back updating here at Reese Witherspoon Fans.

Thanks for your patience, updates coming soon.

Apparently The Hangover star Bradley Cooper has dropped out from his project with director McG for the upcoming movie “This is War” due to conflicts with The Hangover 2’s shooting. Ryan Reynolds is reportedly due to replace him.

“EW is reporting that rising star Bradley Cooper has traded in his role in an upcoming McG-directed spy comedy called This Is War for The Hangover 2. War is about two best friends spies whose relationship falls apart when they both fall for the same woman (Reese Witherspoon).

Twentieth Century Fox confirms Cooper’s departure from This Is War, citing scheduling conflicts with The Hangover 2 as the reason.(…) This Is War is apparently considered a high priority for Fox (although the 12 years in gestation doesn’t suggest that…) but it’s not clear what direction Fox is heading in now, including who they will get to replace Cooper. The Proposal’s Ryan Reynolds will probably be getting a call pretty soon.”

In December 2011 Disney/Pixar’s Bear and the Bow is slated to premiere in theaters. The film is about a Scottish princess, Merida, who defies her parents by perusing an interest in archery, but inadvertently jeopardizes her father’s kingdom in the process.

So far, the cast includes Reese Witherspoon (voice of Merida), Emma Thompson (voice of Queen Elinor), Julie Walters (voice of the Witch) and Billy Connolly (voice of King Fergus).

Other upcoming Pixar projects that we will tell you about later include Newt and Monster Inc. 2.

From Disnology