Helen Mirren has revealed she changed her mind about identifying as a feminist, after realising the movement was "a necessity".
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The English actress reflected on her change of heart while speaking at the Tulane University Class of 2017 graduation ceremony in New Orleans on Saturday.
Mirren, who was awarded an honorary doctorate for her philanthropy and work in the arts at the ceremony, told the graduating class one of her rules for life: "no matter what sex you are, or race, be a feminist."
"I didn't define myself as a feminist until quite recently," Mirren explained. "But I had always lived like a feminist and believed in the obvious: that women were as capable and as energetic and as inspiring as men."
The actress said she was originally put off by the idea of labelling her ideology because to "join a movement called feminism seemed too didactic, too political".
"However, I have come to understand that feminism is not an abstract idea but a necessity if we... are to move us forward and not backward into ignorance and fearful jealousy. So now, I am a declared feminist and I would encourage you to be the same."
An Oxfam ambassador, Mirren argued the benefit of feminism extended well beyond the western world.
"In every country and culture that I have visited, from Sweden to Uganda, from Singapore to Mali, it is clear that when women are given respect, and the ability and freedom to pursue their personal dreams and ambitions, life improves for everyone," she said.
It is common for large US universities to invite A-list speakers for their graduation ceremonies.
The graduation ceremony was Mirren's second this year. She received another honorary doctorate from the University of Southern California on May 12.
US Vice-President Mike Pence caused a stir at Notre Dame over the weekend, when a number of students walked out of his address in protest of his selection. President Donald Trump addressed Liberty University in Virginia earlier this month.
Other big names who have spoken at graduations this year include Pharrell Williams (NYU), Oprah Winfrey (Agnes Scott College) and Will Ferrell (who serenaded Mirren with a rendition of Whitney Houston's I Will Always Love You while speaking at the University of Southern California).
