Kamala Lopez facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Kamala Lopez
Lopez in 2019
Alma mater	Yale University
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1980–present

Kamala Lopez is an American filmmaker, actress, writer, and director. She is also known for her work as a political activist. She has acted in many TV shows like Black Jesus, Medium, 24, Alias, and NYPD Blue.

Kamala Lopez has also appeared in films such as Born in East L.A., Deep Cover, and Clear and Present Danger.

As a filmmaker, her first feature film was A Single Woman. This movie was about Jeannette Rankin, the first woman to be elected to the U.S. Congress. The film won an award in 2009 for its excellence in media.

In 2013, her short film Ese Beso won awards at film festivals. Later, in 2016, her documentary Equal Means Equal won the Audience Award at Michael Moore’s TCF Festival. This film was also highlighted by New York Times critics. The movie helped start a national movement to support the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) for the U.S. Constitution.

Early Life and Education

Kamala Lopez went to Yale University. She studied philosophy and theater there. She earned a bachelor's degree from the university.

Acting and Directing Career

Lopez has worked as an actor in over thirty movies. Some of these include I Heart Huckabees (2004) and Born in East L.A. (1987). She has also been in more than seventy TV shows. These include 21 Jump Street, Alias, and Star Trek: Voyager.

In 2007, Kamala Lopez hosted a science show called Wired Science on PBS. This show was made with Wired magazine.

Lopez directed the short film Ese Beso in Madrid, Spain. She also directed A Single Woman (2008). This film told the story of Jeannette Rankin, the first woman in the U.S. Congress. The movie was based on a play written by Jeanmarie Simpson, who is related to Lopez.

Working for Equal Rights

In 2009, Lopez started the ERA Education Project. This project uses media to teach people about the Equal Rights Amendment in the United States. She talked to women across the country. She asked them how issues like equal pay and domestic violence affected their lives.

In 2013, she started a Kickstarter campaign for her documentary Equal Means Equal. This film focused on the status of women in America. It also aimed to bring back public support for the ERA. Famous activist Gloria Steinem appeared in the film. More than 100 other people were interviewed for the movie.

Lopez also writes articles for The Huffington Post.

Awards and Special Recognition

Kamala Lopez has received many awards for her work.

• 2019 - YaleWomen Impact Award for Excellence
• 2016 - Champion of Justice from Equal Rights Advocates
• 2016 - Best U.S. Documentary Audience Award at Traverse City Film Festival
• 2016 - Latino Spirit Award for Achievement in Advocacy and Entertainment from the State of California
• 2015 - Woman of the Year Award from the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors
• 2013 - Jury Award at Senorita Cinema Festival
• 2013 - Audience Award at Boyle Heights Latina Film Festival
• 2012 - Named one of the 21 Leaders for the 21st Century by Women's eNews
• 2011 - Woman of Courage Award from the National Women's Political Caucus
• 2009 - Exceptional Merit Media Award for "A Single Woman"

Images for kids

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  Kamala Lopez in 2019