As a young girl, I looked in the mirror and hated what I saw. Bullying, lack of positive peer role models, and negative media influences had full grasp of my heart. I was ashamed of my body because it didn't fit society’s definition of beauty and the words others spoke over my life began to dictate how I felt about myself. Earthly searching for worth and beauty led me down the dark road of a life-threatening eating disorder. Through faith and treatment, I overcame this illness and unveiled the true meaning of beauty. I realized my life’s purpose and set out on a mission to cultivate positive body image and character in young women worldwide. In 2011, True Beauty Movement was born.
The organization began with a social media campaign and has now grown into a global movement, empowering young women near and far. I never imagined it would scale into the organization it is today, but I am so thankful that God selected me to create and lead True Beauty Movement. I have selected numerous state and international representatives that assist me in growing the organization and serve as positive role models through their blogging and mentorships.
At this very moment in time, only 4% of young women worldwide are able to consider themselves beautiful and many young women are experiencing the same battles I once faced. This organization is for every young woman, myself included. Lack of a positive body image can lead to a number of problems… eating disorders, dreams coming to a halt, promiscuity, and endless searching for validation. It breaks my heart to know that 6 out of 10 girls will stop doing what they love because of their negative body image. We must equip these girls with positive body image building techniques, a critical eye for media images, the knowledge that they were created physically attractive, and the understanding that their true beauty is their heart.
Workshops, social media campaigns, YouTube videos, seminars and international alliances enable us to make a difference for the young women we encounter. I also work in partnership with the National Eating Disorders Association to break the stigma around this mental illness, raise awareness, increase fundraising, and educate families and young women on proactivity and recovery.
As Miss International I will continue my work as the Founder & Director of True Beauty Movement, a National Eating Disorders Association Spokesmodel, and advocate for all young women. To keep up with True Beauty Movement, visit
www.truebeautymovement.org.
Redefining Beauty Worldwide,
Amanda MorenoMiss International 2016
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