Jean Seberg was an American-French actress and political activist. Born in Marshalltown, Iowa, Seberg was discovered in 1956 during a nationwide search for the role of Joan of Arc in "Saint Joan". Seberg later moved from America to France. There, she became an icon of the French New Wave, particularly for her incredible performance in 1960’s "À bout de souffle"(Breathless). Seberg gained traction as a serious actress, in demand in both Hollywood and France. In the late 1960s, she became targeted by the FBI under the COINTELPRO program for her vocal and financial support of civil rights groups. Some tactics used against Seberg included stalking, intimidation, a Hollywood blacklisting and deliberate spreading of rumours in the press to cheapen her image. At the age of 40, Seberg tragically committed suicide due to the trauma she had experienced at the hands of the FBI. Today, Seberg is recognized not only as a great artist, but also as a brave activist who was the victim of extreme injustice. Her fortitude and refusal to shun her beliefs is the reason why so many women cite her as a role model.