Â

Â

With a career in the world of modeling spanning two decades, Tyra Banks has, like Madonna, managed to re-invent herself almost as often as she changed outfits for the cat walk. From model, to actress to television show host, Tyra has kept herself firmly in the public eye.

With little, or no baggage or scandal, she has become an ideal role model for young women everywhere amidst a ‘gaggle’ of bad examples such as Lindsay Lohan, Amy Winehouse, Paris Hilton, Britney Spears, and of late her younger pregnant sister, Jamie Lynn Spears.

Now, all that good living has paid off, with Tyra being named America’s OK! magazine Woman of the Year, not only for her position as role model but also for her business prowess.

Along with other curvy beauties such as Jennifer Lopez, America Ferrera, Beyonce and Jennifer Hudson, Tyra has made it acceptable for young women everywhere to be proud to have a shape.

Having been labeled ’a beached whale’ earlier this year following ’bad angle’ photos of her in a swimsuit, Tyra has become the patron of TZONE, a leadership program she created for young females, which aims to reinforce core values of trust and support, challenges teen girls to resist negative social pressures, and enhances self-empowerment—inspiring girls to become confident leaders in their communities. Tyra also funds the Tyra Banks Scholarship for African-American girls to attend Immaculate Heart High School, her own alma mater.

In an interview with OK! Magazine Tyra stated, “ I still feel like this skinny image is heralded. It’s very confusing for young girls and I’m trying to change that. An average American woman is size 12 (UK size 16) or 14 (18). So if I look like a 10 (14) or 12 (16) in a picture and someone says I look disgusting, are they saying the majority of America is disgusting? That made me really upset, and that’s why I decided to fight back.”