Inspired by: Iman. Iman grew up in Somalia with her mother, a gynacologist, and her father, a diplomat. She was studying political science at the University of Nairobi, when photographer Pat Beard found her and asked if she would want to model. She said yes, but only if he would pay her $8,000, the amount due for her tuition. Beard agreed, and her life changed.

 

To sell her look, Beard told everyone that he found her in the African jungle and that her family was African royalty. Iman was upset because she had never seen a jungle in her life, since Somalia is a desert. People also never spoke directly to Iman because they didn't think she knew English, even though she was fluent in 6 languages, including English. After years of modeling, Iman quit becuase she said there was no grace in it.

 

After modeling, Iman did a few movies and convinced the BBC Network to do a documentary called Somalia Diary on her home country, which had been ravaged by drought, war, and famine. Iman saw hundreds of dead bodies piled up, usually of children, and tried to use her celebrity status to get more international aid to the country.

 

Iman also started a makeup line for women of color because she said she would have to buy 3 foundations and 3 powders and mix them together before she got something close to her skin-tone. The Iman Collection was aimed towards Hispanics, Native Americans, and African Americans and sold at J.C. Penney. It grossed $12 its first year. Now she is an activist for the Marion Wright Edelman's Children's Defense Fund and she even created a lipstick with Missy Elliot, where the proceeds went to fight domestic violence.

 

Iman is just a total inspiration because not only is she educated, but she's worked in so many different areas of the world without losing her core values.