Elizabeth Montgomery

 Elizabeth Montgomery was involved in several political causes and social issues throughout her lifetime, and she used her platform as a beloved TV star to advocate for the things she cared about. While she was never as overtly political as some of her contemporaries, Montgomery was deeply committed to social justice and human rights, and she used her fame to support causes she believed in.

One of the key causes Montgomery was passionate about was civil rights. She was an outspoken advocate for racial equality, particularly during the 1960s and 1970s, when the civil rights movement was at its peak. Montgomery was known to support the efforts of African Americans to gain equal rights, and she participated in public events and rallies that promoted racial justice. She didn’t shy away from using her celebrity status to bring attention to these issues. For example, she was an active member of the Hollywood Women's Political Committee, which focused on supporting candidates and policies that promoted equality and social change.
Montgomery also showed her commitment to women’s rights. She supported the feminist movement and was a vocal advocate for women's equality, particularly in the workplace and in the entertainment industry. She worked to break down traditional gender roles, both in her personal life and through the characters she portrayed. Bewitched, for instance, subtly addressed issues of female empowerment, as Samantha was a powerful woman who balanced her magical abilities with a "normal" family life. While the show was lighthearted, Montgomery later reflected on how the character of Samantha was a reflection of her own progressive views on women’s autonomy and independence.
LGBTQ+ rights were also important to Montgomery, and she was ahead of her time in supporting the LGBTQ+ community. She was a strong ally during a time when many public figures were less willing to speak out on these issues. She was known to attend events that supported LGBTQ+ causes and to lend her support to those advocating for equality and justice for the community.
Beyond these well-known causes, Montgomery was also deeply concerned with animal rights. She was an avid animal lover and actively supported various animal welfare organizations. She used her platform to advocate for the humane treatment of animals and was passionate about issues like cruelty prevention and animal adoption.
Perhaps one of the most significant ways she used her fame for advocacy was through her roles in TV movies, where she often took on projects that dealt with social issues. For example, in A Case of Rape (1974), she portrayed a woman dealing with the trauma of being assaulted, a topic that was still very taboo at the time. Through these roles, she brought attention to important social issues, allowing her to subtly advocate for change while doing what she did best—acting.
In summary, Elizabeth Montgomery used her platform not only to entertain but also to advocate for important social and political causes. She was a strong supporter of civil rights, women’s equality, LGBTQ+ rights, and animal welfare. Whether through her public support of various movements, her roles in television, or her personal actions, Montgomery showed that she was not just a beloved actress but also someone deeply invested in using her fame to support the causes that mattered most to her.