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| Ethiopian supermodel Liya on the cover of Spain's Vogue magazine. |
Ethiopian supermodel Liya Kebede is among Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World for 2010.
The list includes such prominent and diverse names as Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, Serena Williams, Oprah Winfrey, Elton John, James Cameron and Ben Stiller and Liya is listed under the heroes category.
The magazine’s tribute to Liya, which is published in the 10 May 2010 issue, says: “Liya's work comes from a place of sincerity, and her beauty is much more than skin-deep.”
Written by Tom Ford – a renowned fashion designer and film director – the 202 word tribute to Liya says “In today's world, celebrity advocates are not rare. What is rare is to encounter one whose devotion and drive come from a genuine desire to better our world.”
Liya, 32, was born and raised in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa.
While in school at the French Lycee in Addis - a film director spotted the young beauty and introduced her to a French modelling agency.
After completing her studies, she moved to France to pursue work through a local Parisian agency. Liya subsequently relocated to New York city where she currently resides.
In February 2003, Liya became the newest face of Esteé Lauder – the first African woman to serve as a representative in the brand’s 59-year history, joining other renowned international personalities in the industry.
In 2005, she was appointed as World Health Organization’s Goodwill Ambassador for maternal, newborn and child health.
Liya’s responsibilities of being WHO’s Goodwill Ambassador includes raising global awareness of maternal and child health issues, as well as helping WHO in its campaign to improve the health of mothers and children around the world.
Liya subsequently founded The Liya Kebede Foundation with the mission to reduce maternal newborn and child mortality and to improve the health and wellbeing of mothers and children around the world.
Through her foundation, she is dedicated to helping mothers and children in Ethiopia and one such example is her collaboration with the Princess Tsehai Memorial Hospital in Addis Ababa which has resulted in the expansion of the hospital’s compound.
Liya is in a unique and powerful position not many women, not only in Ethiopia but also in many parts of the world, enjoy.
She is an inspiration to anyone in general, but particularly to young women anywhere in the world who appreciate hard-work and diligence with consistent commitment to helping others.
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