Jennifer Strickland
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“The average teen sees 4-600 images in the media every day,” says Jennifer Strickland. “These images are air-brushed illusions of perfection with incredible power to warp girls’ views of themselves and boys’ views of women. I teach students that just because an image in the media appears to be good, it doesn’t mean it is good.”
This lesson is one Jennifer Strickland learned through first-hand experience. As a teenager herself, she signed with one of the top modeling agencies in the world. She went on to become a wildly successful runway model, working in the US and Europe. She walked the runway for Giorgio Armani, appeared in commercials, music videos and countless magazines.
Though her life seemed glamorous and enviable, behind the picture-perfect image Jennifer Strickland struggled with depression, drugs, anorexia and thoughts of suicide. She felt unfulfilled.
“I wanted an authentic life,” she says. “I didn’t want a life based on my appearance. My experiences in the modeling industry lead me to speak very frankly about the illusions of wealth, beauty and power as promoted by the media. The media is in teens’ faces every day, promoting untruths about beauty, fulfillment and power.”
Since leaving the industry, Jennifer Strickland has made it her mission to dispel the damaging lie that a person’s worth is based on appearance or accomplishment. She visits schools across the country talking to girls and boys about healthy body image.
“I want teens to know that they are more than how they compare to the movie stars; the number of their friends on Facebook; and the images they see in magazines. They are uniquely gifted, valuable, and beautiful just for being who they are.”
Her honest and relevant speaking style communicates to core issues teen struggle with. After hearing her speak, students say they will never look at a magazine, or themselves, in the same way again. Book a program with Jennifer Strickland to teach your students about positive body image.
Don’t forget to check out Jennifer Strickland’s other pages:
Pictures
Videos
Don’t Buy the Lie
Promo Flyer
Set Up Info
Comments on Jennifer Strickland’s Programs
~High School Sophomore
“Your presentation was really really great. I’m a freshman and do competition cheer. We all aspire to be stick thin and perfect like models, so this talk made me think & really interested me. Your story is truly amazing.”
~High School Freshman
~Middle School Counselor
“Jennifer Strickland was excellent! The students were touched and i think that several were helped by her message. It was wonderful. We want her again for our girls next year.”
~Counselor
~Dr. Thelma Wells, D.D. (Hon.)
