REESE WITHERSPOON STUNS AS INSTYLE'S AY COVER GIRL WHILE REVEALING SHE HAS A TEAM OF FRIENDS SHE CALLS THE SOUTHERN MAFIA

Reese Witherspoon helped launched Pacific Standard Films which seeks to create more movie projects for women. So it's no surprise that the 39-year-old actress takes the female relationships in her life very seriously.In the May issue of InStyle she divulged that she has learned to surround herself with a tight-knit group of like-minded women, whom she lovingly calls the 'Southern Mafia.'

'I learned a few years ago that there are people who don't want good things for you. You've got to get away from them,' she shared.However, now the Oscar winner has found a good group of friends that she can count on, and that can relate to what she is going through in her life. 'Now I surround myself with supportive friends. I have a close group of girlfriends I call my Southern Mafia,' she said. Reese continued: 'One's from Oklahoma, one's from Arkansas, another's from Tennessee. I get a lot out of my relationships with them. 'Parenting, getting through your marriage, getting through your day, these are hard things, and I find solace in the fact that other people struggle with the same stuff I do. We all have concerns about our kids, our marriage, our dreams.'Having that support is also important to Reese because she wants to have good role models in 15-year-old daughter Ava's life.

'I grew up seeing incredibly strong women like Holly Hunter, Sigourney Weaver and Debra Winger,' Reese said. 'I want to ensure that my 15-year-old daughter, Ava, grows up seeing those types of strong women playing complicated parts.' And with her latest film, it's possible Reese has added a close pal to her network with co-star Sofia Vergara. 'As soon as I met Sofia, I said, "I want to make a movie with you." I think she's the next Lucille Ball,' the blonde beauty gushed.We represent two completely different cultures and kinds of women, but we just love each other. We laughed so much. I couldn't understand what she was saying half the time,' she shared.

'She couldn't understand what I was saying half the time. But we both love cake, clothes, kids and our families.' However, Reese is quite the role model herself, as her film company, Pacific Standard Films - which released the successful Gone Girl and Oscar-nominated Wild - recently acquired a new project: Luckiest Girl Alive. Deadline reported that Lionsgate had acquired the rights to the novel by Jessica Knoll, with Reese and partner Bruna Papandrea producing.