KATV Channel 7 - The Spirit of Arkansas: Oscar Winner Geena Davis in Little Rock

Academy Award winning actress, Geena Davis spoke to a crowd of about 1,000 at Little Rock's Statehouse Convention Center Tuesday night.

The 6 foot tall movie star won best supporting actress in 1988 for "The Accidental Tourist", but she said it was her role as Thelma in "Thelma and Louise" and motherhood that inspired her advocacy work.

"Women coming out of that movie felt so exhilarated and empowered.  We just don't give women that many opportunities to feel that way about a movie," said Davis.

To create more female portrayals in children's media she founded the "Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media" in 2004.

Davis said, "Our formula goal is to dramatically increase the percentage of female characters and reduce stereotyping."

So, it's no surprise her favorite role next to Thelma was when she took a spot at the White House.

"Playing the first female president on Commander in Chief was my second favorite," said Davis.  She continued, "I had a great time and it was really, really fun seeing the Oval office (the Clinton Library Oval Office replica) today, because now I realize my office was decorated exactly the same as President Clinton's was, so I liked that a lot."

When it comes to Arkansas she said, "I like it very much. It's only been about 24 hours, but so far I love it."

Davis said one thing most people don't know about her is that she is a very advanced pumpkin carver.

"I'm not kidding I make like insane pumpkins like I get 200 pound pumpkins and carve insane scenes on them and stuff. Last year, I carved a pumpkin inside of a pumpkin," said Davis.

She revealed her sense of humor when asked what impression she would like to leave on Arkansas.

She said through a smile, "it would be ‘how do I look so incredible after all these years?'."

 In addition to raising her children, she has an A&E movie coming out Memorial Day weekend called, ‘Coma'.