On June 4, 2014, Angelina Jolie was made an honorary dame by Queen Elizabeth II for her services to the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The news was announced in the London Gazette, which is the official newspaper of record for the British government.
The honor is bestowed upon those who have rendered exceptional service or shown great courage. In Jolie's case, she was recognized for her work as a special envoy for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). In this role, she has helped raise awareness about the plight of refugees and advocated on their behalf.
Jolie has also been active in promoting women's rights and combating sexual violence. In 2012, she co-founded the Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative (PSVI) with then-Foreign Secretary William Hague. The initiative works to end impunity for perpetrators of sexual violence and help survivors rebuild their lives.
So far, Jolie has made six trips to refugee camps and conflict zones as a part of her work with UNHCR. She has also testified before the US Congress and delivered speeches at the World Economic Forum and other high-level events.
Her work has been widely praised by both politicians and human rights activists. UN High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres said that Jolie has put a human face on humanitarian action and described her as a powerful voice against impunity.