Actor Stephanie March Shares the Life Motto She Learned From Her Father

My father always reminded us that “the truth needs no defense,” and it became somewhat of a motto for my sister and me throughout childhood. Maybe it was our Texan roots, but we were always encouraged to be true to ourselves and to others, and that would be enough.

From playing the justice-seeking Assistant District Attorney Alex Cabot on Law & Order: SVU, who was in constant search for what’s right and defending those who needed it most, to living my own personal life with authenticity and openness, “the truth needs no defense” is something that has always followed me.

I’ve relied on my father’s advice many times — but this sticks out as the most important. Every day, and this Father’s Day in particular, I’m grateful to live in a country where the truth still has value. And while it needs no defense, it’s certainly worth fighting for.

Stephanie March is an actor, philanthropist and co-founder of Rouge.