For actress Charlize Theron, art has begun to imitate life. After playing roles in films like North Country and Monster, (for which she won an Academy Award) films that both deal with the consequences of domestic violence and harassment, she has been named as a United Nations Messenger of Peace on Friday.

Theron will join the other 10 celebrities who have been named messengers of peace, from entertainment fields in film, music literature and sport. She will focus on ending violence against women through a media contract with the U.N. as well as public speeches and appearances. The 33 year old actress-turned activist played serial killer Aileen Wuornos, who was notoriously put to death after killing men who thought she was a prostitute. Wuornos came from an unfortunate background of violence and abuse and was executed in Florida back in 2002.

In 2005, the film North Country concentrated on a woman, Josey Aimes, who filed a sexual harassment charge while working in a male dominant mining field project, also based on a true story. She's been involved in charitable causes in the past, such as "putting mobile health clinics in rural areas of her native South Africa where access to care is limited." (Patrick Worsnip, Reuters)

Her eye witness experience of domestic violence has inspired her work. At the age of 15, she experienced the shooting of her alcoholic father by her mother's hand when he threatened the family in "a drunken rage." U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said, "You have used your voice, compassion and special relationship with the public to create a better world," at the inauguration ceremony.

Other messengers of peace include actors George Clooney and Michael Douglas, musicians Daniel Barenboim, Midori Goto and cellist Yo-Yo Ma, author of The Alchemist Paul Coelho and equestrian Princess Haya Bint al-Hussein. As stated by the United Nations website, "The Messengers of Peace, through their public appearances, contacts with the international media and humanitarian work, help expand understanding of how the ideals and objectives of the Organization demand everyone's attention."