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Gisele Bündchen Joins The List of Philanthropic Models

Adaobi Ugoagu |
January 12, 2014 | 10:11 p.m. PST

Staff Reporter

Bündchen at the 2009 Rainforest Alliance Gala (Pinterest)
Bündchen at the 2009 Rainforest Alliance Gala (Pinterest)

It has become increasingly common to see models use their fame and power not only for glamour, but also for greater, more charitable purposes. Strutting the catwalk by day and making a global difference by night, supermodel Gisele Bündchen was recently appointed to the Rainforest Alliance Board of Directors. 

The Rainforest Alliance issued a statement on their website, welcoming Bündchen to the team. This statement highlighted her past efforts in environmentally-conscious initiatives. Bündchen has also helped to aid social innovation that will further the goals of a more sustainable global society.

While on the board, she will aid in planning and shaping the Rainforest Alliance's environmental and global vision by implementing policies and strategic plans to further the organization's eco-efforts.

"As a Rainforest Alliance board member, I look forward to calling upon my experience not only as an international spokesperson, but as an entrepreneur and global citizen to support the Rainforest Alliance's on-the-ground efforts," she told theINDYchannel, a small online publication. 

 

Bündchen is not the only model who is using her fame to further a cause. Russian supermodel Natalia Vodianova founded the Naked Heart Foundation, an organization that serves to help disabled and underprivileged children. Vodianova was raised in rough circumstances, and wants to use her newfound privileged role to invest in a cause that she finds fulfilling. In an interview with The Huffington Post, she stated that, "As soon as I felt comfortable financially, which was a while ago now, I started to feel really unfulfilled. Work as a model wasn't enriching for me. I enjoy it, but it's not something I could never give up. The Naked Heart Foundation gives me a higher purpose and fills that void. I can be choosy about what jobs I take now -- they have to meet certain criteria: Do they have a positive impact? Do they have a good image? Is the brand elegant? Does it serve women?" During the summer of 2013, Vodianova was presented with the Diane Von Furstenburg Award for her charitable work, and for being an exemplar of leadership and courage.

Among this group of models-gone-activists falls Lauren Bush, fashion model, designer, and co-founder of the organization FEED. Bush founded the organization in 2006 when she designed a bag to aid in the United Nations World Food Program's School Feeding Program. The main purpose of the institution is to create and distribute products that further the fight against world hunger through the profits earned in the sale of FEED apparel and accessories. In an interview with the Huffington Post she explained that it was not until she was able to see the great effects of world hunger that she found the inspiration to begin FEED.

Philanthropic involvement for models has become a normal occurrence. With generosity as the new black, these women serve as models in more ways than one.  

Reach Staff Reporter Adaobi Ugoagu here and follow her on Twitter



 

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