Actress Ashley Judd is planning to get her Ph.D. in public policy at the University of California at Berkeley.
Ashley made the surprise announcement on Facebook, where she revealed how excited and proud she was to have been accepted into the Ph.D. program.
“I am now officially a doctoral student at the University of California at Berkeley,” said Judd, 48. “Sometimes I’m really excited. Sometimes I’m like, “What have I gotten myself into?”‘
Ashley continued: “[I plan to] make the very best of my time at Berkeley and do some good thinking, some rigorous research and see how I can continue to do my little part to make the world a better place.”
Judd got her bachelor’s degree from the University of Kentucky in 2007 after dropping out of college in 1990 just one course shy of graduation.
In 2009, Judd got a master’s degree in public administration (with an emphasis on gender equality) from Harvard. Gender issues are close to Ashley’s heart.
As a survivor of childhood sexual abuse and incest, Ashley battled depression for much of her life.
Judd overcame clinical depression and the trauma of childhood incest and sexual abuse with the help of yoga and Zumba dance workouts.
“I found Zumba and I love it,” said Judd. “My inspiration was the cross-brain exercise and balance using non dominant and dominant sides of the body (as happens in yoga). It began as just a little something good for the brain.”
Ashley said Zumba and yoga filled her with joy, and gave her flat abs and a fit bikini body, Celebrity Health Fitness has reported.
“It has transcended brain work and become an experience of effervescent JOY,” said Judd.
Ashley Judd detailed her harrowing experiences as a victim of incest and sex abuse in her memoir, All That Is Bitter & Sweet:
“An old man everyone knew beckoned me into a dark, empty corner of the business and offered me a quarter for the pinball machine at the pizza place if I’d sit on his lap,” Judd wrote.
“He opened his arms, I climbed up, and I was shocked when he suddenly cinched his arms around me, squeezing me and smothering my mouth with his, jabbing his tongue deep into my mouth.”
Through yoga, therapy, Zumba workouts and a difficult journey of self-discovery, Ashley is happier now than ever.
“I have improved self-esteem,” wrote Ashley. “I have healthier boundaries. I know that no means no.”
Ashley says doing yoga daily is critical for her mental health. “My mat is a safe place,” Judd wrote in her book. “Yoga has made a big difference.”
Yoga promotes natural weight loss, prevents anxiety and reduces stress, said Tara Stiles, author of Yoga Cures.
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