Her decision to explain her preemptive double mastectomy in a New York Times editorial, though controversial in some health circles, underscored her willingness to foster hard conversations by taking a public stand. "Angelina Jolie represents a new type of leadership in the 21st century," says U.K. Foreign Secretary William Hague, who has worked with Jolie on efforts to end a plague of rape in war-torn regions. "Her strength lies in the fact that she is able to influence governments and move public opinion at the same time." That Jolie chooses to use her global influence to highlight neglected human rights and humanitarian issues, adds Hague, "is in keeping with the finest traditions of leadership.