Kerry Washington On Fearlessly Standing Up For What She Believes In

Kerry Washington is fierce and in charge on the cover of Elle magazine's April issue.

Donning a simple, yet powerful crewneck that reads "Cassius Clay" -- aka Muhammad Ali -- the "Scandal" star looks like a fearless boss. She spoke to the magazine about motherhood, Shonda Rhimes and the need for women's voices to be heard everywhere.

Washington has never been one to shy away from taking on political roles and initiatives. She continually speaks out against racism, anti-feminism, domestic violence and more on-and-off-screen. The actress explained to Elle why it's important for her to stand firm regarding causes she believes in without wavering.

"I'm a person who's always been politically active and passionate about people's rights," she told the magazine. "I marched against the [2004] Republican Convention. And as my career has expanded, it's been important for me to not stifle that voice. Because you want to be popular, you want people to hire you, and I have to make sure I don't do it less because I'm an actor."

This is why she'll will be wearing two white hats for the HBO Anita Hill biopic "Confirmation," which she will both star in and executive produce. Starring as Hill, the law professor who testified against then U.S. Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas in a sexual harassment case against him, Washington talked to Elle about the importance of this role in highlighting how pivotal this event was in ensuring that women had the political power to protect themselves

Ms. Washington is just slaying in all arenas.

The issue will be available on newsstands everywhere on March 22.