Halima Aden

I made a lot of mistakes growing up, trying so hard to fit in. I got so lost trying to please everybody. ”

When I was younger, I didn't have that type of person that I could look up to and be like, 'OK, this is someone who dresses like me and I relate to.' I didn't have that growing up, so to give that opportunity to a younger generation of women - and not just Somali women, but anyone who feels different - that means a lot to me. ”

My mom and grandma, growing up, one thing they emphasized was that you need to make sure that anything you put on your skin is also digestible by the body. For example, if something isn't safe for me to eat or consume, it's probably not good for your face. So I do a lot of natural remedies. ”

A lot of people will look at you and will fail to see your beauty because you're covered up and they're not used to it. So growing up, I just had to work on my people skills and give people a chance to really know me besides the clothing. ”

I did notice growing up that there are so many things, obstacles and things, that people think you can't do because you're Muslim or because you're wearing a hijab. You hear a lot of no's. That was something that I wanted to see change. ”

A lot of people have the misconception that, as a Muslim woman, I am somehow against women wearing bikinis. No, I want women to feel comfortable and confident in whatever they wear. ”

My goal is to send a message to Muslim women and young women everywhere that it's okay to break stereotypes and be yourself. ”

If you think people are against you and that you're a target, things will start appearing that way. I just go about my day, and I don't think anyone is out to get me. ”

There's always room to volunteer. I think that's a huge space to be involved with. ”

Moving to the U.S. was an adjustment. I noticed that the kids played in groups. Back in Kakuma, everyone played together. ”