Platform 51

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Categories: Woman of the week
Friday, 20 January 2012
Woman of the week - Josie Long

Comedy to tackle societal and political issues

Following Blue Monday this week (supposedly the most depressing day of the year) and in preparation for Blue Monday Mark 2 [the alternative date proposed for Blue Monday], we have chosen comedian Josie Long as our woman of the week to brighten you all up. This young woman has been a successful and prominent member of the stand-up business for over 10 years and has recently begun merging societal issues and comedy which has proven to be an innovative and light-hearted way of voicing her liberal, political agenda.

Brought up in London, Josie became known in the comedy circle whilst still at school. She briefly abandoned this past-time to pursue further education at Oxford University, and since graduating has become one of the leading female stand-up comediennes in Britain.

Last year Josie featured in a video for 'YoungMinds' - a charity attempting to reduce the stigma around mental health, particularly amongst young people. She starred alongside Isy Suttie in YoungMinds' The Happiness Project, stressing the validity of young peoples' voices, acknowledging that she had once had her own difficulties but most importantly the video encouraged young people to speak out about their feelings so as to improve their mental health. What Josie also stresses is that those with mental health problems can improve their state by taking part in activities which could well alleviate such problems - simple things ranging from eating good food and exercising regularly.

More recently, Josie Long set up her own charity Arts Emergency Service, with the aim of financially supporting those from unprivileged backgrounds to study arts degrees. Her comedy has a much more political slant than previously: she uses her shows as a means of campaigning against the rise of tuition fees. Furthermore, Josie tutor s students in London and organises a monthly event for students to win money that would go towards the paying of their degree.

Josie Long is a prime example of effectively attempting to implicate change and Platform 51 think she is admirable for doing something to help our society be more like we would want it to be.