A lot has changed for the striking actress, Virginia Madsen, since her role in the box-office sensation, Sideways, won her not only accolades but an Oscar nomination. For starters, the single mom took a hiatus from Hollywood to focus on raising her son, Jack. During that time, she stopped taking on new work and headed back to acting school.

Here, she talks openly about how hard it was balancing motherhood and her acting career at first and her latest film project, Amelia Earhart, with Richard Gere and Hilary Swank (hitting theaters in 2009). Plus, she shares why her cause-du-jour is urging women nationwide to show up at the voting booth this November 4.

Q: Why does it matter to you if women pull the lever on Election Day?
A: All voices matter. My mother taught me that. I remember turning 18 and registering to vote. It was a big deal in my house. Voting meant being part of the world around me, being an adult. On November 4, I'm taking a high school senior who lives on my block to vote for the first time—with her mother's permission, of course.

Q: What's your answer to women who say their vote won't make a difference?
A: People have their reasons for not wanting to get involved, but this time you can't opt out. This election is too important. Gosh, have we forgotten what this country is really about? We didn't always get to be in the room. We have to remember that. Women didn't have the right to vote until 1920. I don't see voting as a privilege. It's a responsibility. You can go to vote411.org and click on your state to find out how to register and find a polling place near you.