Last night, CGG caught up with actress-gone-activist Natalie Portman at an evening to celebrate women in NYC. After the screening of A Powerful Noise, which follows the lives of three marginalized women who rise up to empower themselves and their communities, there was an all-star panel discussion featuring Natalie, Madeleine Albright, and glamazon Christy Turlington.

In an exclusive CGG Interview with the Oscar nominee, Natalie told us about some of the hardships women face, “Its definitely a big challenge when our culture is simultaneously pushing girls to be in bras or on covers of magazines and proclaiming their virginity at the same time…”

The film followed the women fighting for three different causes—HIV/AIDS, ethnic clashes, and education—on opposite sides of the globe. What unites them is their belief that women can both help themselves gain better lives and be the solution to global poverty.

After the doc, Natalie, took to the stage with Madeleine Albright, Christy Turlington, President and CEO of CARE Dr. Helene Gayle, and New York Times columnist Nicholas D. Kristof.

Natalie used the opportunity to talk about the impact of microloans on the lives of those in developing countries on behalf of FINCA International. Portman became the organization’s 1st Ambassador of Hope in 2004, and serves as co-chair of the Village Banking Campaign.

Madeleine Albright, the first woman Secretary of State, is definitely one lady who has opened new doors for women in government. She asked everyone to not “get selfish” and forget to aid other countries during these tough economic times. But she loosened up and cracked a few jokes re: the women’s movement: “there is a special place in hell for women who don’t help other women.”

The film left the audience teary and the discussion brought strength and a new sense of purpose towards the fight for women’s rights.

Read on to hear how Natalie thinks young women can save the world!

By CGG reporter, Caroline Kotter