Plus-Size Supermodel Iskra Lawrence Is Petitioning to Bring Self-Care Classes to Schools
There’s something most major models involved in the body positive moment seem to have mastered: a strong and inspirational voice. Scroll through the Instagram accounts of curvy supermodels like Tess Holliday, Ashley Graham or Iskra Lawrence, and you’ll not only see photos of them looking bomb in photo shoots, but also notes to their followers preaching self-love and acceptance. The commonly used hashtag #effyourbeautystandards was actually coined by Tess. And Ashley made us all swoon earlier this summer when she proudly flaunted her cellulite during a bike ride. Now, it looks like it’s Iskra’s moment to shine. And she’s doing so with an incredibly necessary Change.org petition that aims to bring self-care classes to schools.
The petition is all part of Iskra’s new initiative, “Iskra’s Army.” As a promoter of self-care and healthy body image through her modeling career, she now wants to make these sorts of life lessons an integral part of the education process. And to be totally honest, we can’t believe it’s taken so long for an idea like this to emerge. If sex ed is required, why not include a curriculum on self-care? Especially given that today’s teens are growing up in what is more or less the Wild West of social media.
‼️You can sign my petition now to get mental, physical & emotional education into schools👉https://t.co/rrRqAU6xPb pic.twitter.com/mDo0SLMv9M
— Iskra Lawrence (@iskralawrence) September 19, 2016
In the petition, Iskra writes, “There is a lack of education about our physical and mental health. Online trolls, bullying, body image, and self-esteem issues can stifle young people’s ambitions and I hope with the proper education we can enable our future generations to reach their full potential.” The petition was launched Monday and is already more than 80 percent of the way to its 1,000-person signature goal.
Currently, the petition will be brought to the UK Department of Education if it acquires all the necessary signatures. But if there is success seen with it in the UK, who says the US can’t be next? With nearly 68 percent of teens agreeing that cyberbullying is a serious problem, the course is basically already creating itself.
Sign Iskra’s petition here!
What sort of classes would you like to see brought to schools? Share with us on Twitter @BritandCo.
(Feature photo via @iamiskra)
It can be intimidating to step out on your own and build a business from the ground up. As part of our collaboration with Office Depot, we're talking with Selfmade alum and solopreneur Colette Lawrence, the faith-based motivator and relationship builder behind The M.E.E. Movement, about ways in which women in business can find success.
B + C: How did you know M.E.E. Movement was your business to start?
The M.E.E Movement represents motivation, empowerment, and encouragement for women. It is what represents me. I did not know at first that it was my business to start, but then the thought of monetizing what I loved came to me. It scared me, however. I registered the business in July 2020 and have been slowly building my wings since.
B + C: What's one strategy that's helped you start your business?
Thinking through and researching what the requirements are to start my business, and then asking questions of people who are in the business. Not all advice worked; however, it helped me to figure out what I needed to do and not to do.
B + C: Did you always know life coaching would be your entrepreneurial path?
(Smiles) No, I did not. I 'stumbled" on it. I knew that people were always coming to me for advice and I found that I loved having conversations with them, especially with women, young and old.
B + C: What was your most valuable takeaway from Selfmade?
My most valuable takeaway was the first day of training: Get out of your own way. There were a lot of great moments and important takeaways from every presenter. However, getting out of my own way, pushing past doubts, was for me my most valuable takeaway. Doing something that I had never done before took courage. If I do not focus on what is happening with me mentally then I cannot deliver to my clients successfully.
B + C: What's one piece of advice you would give to female entrepreneurs on the brink of starting?
Get out of your head. You have something to offer. You have what you need to succeed so go ahead and do it.
B + C: How do you stay motivated?
I stay motivated by listening to music and listening to motivational speakers, and sometimes someone will just reach out and talk about the impact that I made in their life. That adds the extra juice or sauce I need to pummel through the day.
B + C: What's your best organizational tip?
Keep a diary and journal. It's the best way for me to keep organized and it also provides a source motivation as I record not only my "losses" but my wins as well.
B + C: Who inspires you in the entrepreneurial space?
Shirley Toliver – She motivates and empowers and makes me always want to show up.
B + C: What has receiving the Office Depot scholarship to Selfmade done to help you start or grow your business?
The scholarship was a blessing in that all the areas that were covered offered valuable information that I needed, from social media to HR. As a new business owner, I needed to know this to increase my own personal awareness in what it takes to run a successful business. The candidness of the presenters made it easy to see myself in their shoes and helped me to realize that I can also get there.
Thanks Colette! You can follow The M.E.E. Movement on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
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Head to Office Depot's Selfmade page to check out even more amazing business resources (and discounts!) to help you accomplish more on your entrepreneurial journey. These offers are available for a limited time only, so be sure to take advantage of all this goodness while supplies last. Want to join the next Selfmade cohort this summer? Check out all of the scholarship details right here.