This week the young and beautiful Emma Watson will be awarded the British Artist of the Year at the Thursday evening Britannia Awards. And we couldn’t be happier. On top of being a force on the red carpet and an international actress, Watson has made a name for herself as an advocate for human rights. She is a true role model, an inspiring, up and coming icon.

It was thirteen years ago that she first came across the screen and introduced us to Hermione Granger. We were instantly smitten. She played her as a strong, intelligent, independent girl, with a sharp wit. What could be better? Then we got to watch her character grow into a young woman, navigating her education, relationships, and the Dark Lord. Since her first role Watson has been inspiring girls to stand up for who they are. After ten years of starring in Harry Potter, Watson broke out into roles that we have loved watching her in.

My Week With Marilyn, Perks of Being a Wallflower, The Bling Ring, This is the End, and the recently released, Noah. She has proven herself in a period film, playing an American teen, a very fun comedy cameo, and big budget drama. Keep ‘em coming Miss Watson!

And then there’s her swoon worthy style. It is actresses like Watson, who embrace the Red Carpet and take the chance to play with fashion, whom we truly appreciate. She has landed on many Best Dressed lists and always looks so confident and comfortable in her own skin. She has partnered with both Burberry and Lancome, having shot campaigns with Mario Testino. In 2009 she worked as a creative advisor to People Tree, a Fair Trade fashion brand, helping launch a spring line of clothing. She takes what she loves, and uses it as a platform to help others, we could all aspire to mimic that behavior.

"Fashion is a great way to empower people and give them skills; rather than give cash to charity you can help people by buying the clothes they make and supporting things they take pride in"

This year she has been on the front lines for Women's Rights. Over the summer Watson added Goodwill Ambassador for UN Women to her cv. (She also graduated from Brown University, congrats Emma!!) “Women’s rights are something so inextricably linked with who I am, so deeply personal and rooted in my life that I can’t imagine an opportunity more exciting,” said Watson in the official statement announcing her appointment. “I still have so much to learn, but as I progress, I hope to bring more of my individual knowledge, experience, and awareness to this role.”

And before we even had time to wonder what role the young actress would play within UN Women, she delivered her, now famous, speech on Gender & Equality. She used the ten minutes to come before us and be an honest person, admitting her nerves and sharing her opinions. It was a speech to activate this generation into really moving forward on equality.

"I have realised that fighting for Women's Rights has too often become synonymous with man-hating. If there in one thing I know for certain, it is that this has to stop."

"We are struggling for a uniting word, but the good news is we have a uniting movement."

Emma Watson you are an icon. And we can’t wait to see how you inspire us next.

Watch her entire speech here:

And here she is rocking out in Perks of Being a Wallflower:

And epitomizing cool and class: