Amy Poehler's birthday

Amy Poehler is known for her razor-sharp wit, empowering presence, impeccable comedic timing, and a way of getting people to laugh so hard it’s essentially an ab workout! 

There’s absolutely no doubt about it that this woman has not only made one of the biggest marks in the world of comedy but she’s also made one in the acting world and the entertainment industry, from her role as Leslie Knope in Parks and Recreations to the production of Russian Dolls.

Early Life and Rise to Fame

Amy Meredith Poehler was born on September 16, 1971, in Newton, Massachusetts — a skip and a hop away from Boston. From an early age, her passion for performing comedy turned heads, to the point where she was comfortable enough with herself to join a group of others who were just as passionate about comedy and entertainment as she was. 

She finally got the chance to hone her skills as a member of the improvisational comedy troupe, The Upright Citizens Brigade. Eventually, this would lead to a major turning point in her career, helping get her a role on the iconic sketch comedy show “Saturday Night Live.” In the comedy world, women usually weren’t given a lot of roles where they could show how diverse they could be, but here Poehler was able to show off her versatility and comedic genius as an actress and comedian. This quickly made her a standout performer, earning her widespread recognition, and helped prove that women can take on just as many diverse roles as men could. 

After playing small roles in movies like Mean Girls and Blades of Glory, she took off as the leading role in Parks and Recreation, which was one of the defining moments in her career. Parks and Rec became a huge success, on the same level as The Office in turns of compelling story-telling and nonstop laughs. Thanks to her incredible performance and ability to infuse her personality traits with her characters, Poehler’s role as Leslie Knope not only showed a woman in a comedic position, but her role also became a major source of inspiration for women in positions of power. 

Empowering Initiatives

Beyond her beauty, talent, and wit for comedy, Poehler also has a passion for empowering women and promoting inclusivity. She founded the digital network and organization “Amy Poehler’s Smart Girls,” celebrating the accomplishments and talents of women and girls while at the same time being a platform that focuses on helping in a light-hearted way, encouraging individuals to embrace themselves, be authentic, and help make a positive impact on the world with what they do. So, just like Amy’s personality, it’s meant to help and empower, while not being uptight — the perfect combination.

The Incredible Feminist Icon

Needless to say, Poehler is a powerhouse in the Feminism community. But that’s not all; while she might have founded her own organization, she’s committed in any way she can to help make the world a better place. She strongly supports causes like Worldwide Orphans Foundation, as well as various women’s rights groups on a global scale, as well as the Stand Up to Cancer organization and many more that she’s invested money, time, and energy in to. While she certainly makes a difference with her wit and charm in the comedic world, her biggest impact is the love and dedication she puts into making our world a better place.