The #YOUinrue community is united by diverse and unique women that are always re-defining what it means to be a baddie. These ladies constantly inspire us both through their incredible style but also through their hard work and success within the social media industry. As style icons, they have built their own communities and audiences, creating digital spaces that celebrate all forms of femme energy. Let’s hear from these women as we continue to spotlight remarkably inspiring ladies!
Belle Levy
What is your name and how would you describe your content?
My name is Belle Levy. I’m a plus-size model and body-positive activist. But to really sum it up I’m just a big girl tryna do the damn thang.
What does Women’s History Month mean to you?
It is a time to reflect on how far we’ve come and feel empowered because of it. Also, to stay resilient for how far we still have to go.
How are you working to set an example for future generations of young women?
Everything I do is for the 12-year-old version of me, giving younger generations an example of what I wish I had growing up. If I can set an example for “little Belle” and make her proud, I can go to sleep knowing it was a job well done.
Name a woman from history that inspires you today.
Frida Kahlo.
What do you hope to see change in the next 10 years for women’s empowerment?
A Female US President!
Name a historic milestone for women that is personally important to you and why.
Ashley Graham on the cover of Sports Illustrated. It was a time when the tables turned, and my peers started to see what plus-size models/women were capable of. We are big, we are beautiful, and we are meant to be on covers not just inside your local department store catalog.
Shaelah McGilton
What is your name and how would you describe your content?
Hi! My name is Shaelah and I like to make content that inspires others to live life to the fullest with my travel, fashion, and lifestyle content! 🙂
What does Women’s History Month mean to you?
Women’s History Month is important to me because it’s a great reminder of what women of the past have done to create the future we are living in and working towards today. Learning from history to impact the future is so important.
How are you working to set an example for future generations of young women?
Having two younger sisters has taught me the importance of setting a good example. I want to be the type of sister that encourages and leads by example. To show them that they can do anything they set their mind to and to go after their dreams.
Name a woman from history that inspires you today.
A woman that has inspired me is Simone Biles. She has a quote that really stuck with me this last year and it is, “I’d rather regret the risks that didn’t work out than the chances I didn’t take at all.” It’s a great quote that really reminds me to strive to be the best I can be and to not make excuses but to take risks and overcome challenges.
What do you hope to see change in the next 10 years for women’s empowerment?
I hope to see more women continue to pursue their dreams and passions and push the boundaries even further. A woman president would be pretty amazing too!
Name a historic milestone for women that is personally important to you and why.
I think somewhat recently having a woman as Vice President was very important. Making real change for women means having more women in significant places of power and political office is a great place to continue to grow in.
Itzel Lovato
What is your name and how would you describe your content?
My name is Itzel and I’m a colorful plus size fashion content creator and model that promotes body positivity and acceptance!
What does Women’s History Month mean to you?
It means that this month (though it should be every month), we celebrate the women who have shaped the communities we live in, society, our countries as we know it. The women who have gone through it all just to make a difference. The women in our lives and in history that have put themselves out there. What a month to celebrate.
How are you working to set an example for future generations of young women?
I hope that by promoting body positivity and acceptance on my platforms, women of ALL ages learn to love and accept their bodies. I know I needed this kind of inspiration growing up.
Name a woman from history that inspires you today.
A quote that has ALWAYS resonated with me is, “Pies, para que Los quiero si tengo alas para volar,” which means, “Why do I need feet if I have wings to fly?” by Frida Khalo. I love what a dreamer she is. Frida Khalo was and will forever be known as an absolute visionary and an icon.
What do you hope to see change in the next 10 years for women’s empowerment?
I hope to see more intersectional feminism rise. I hope to see women of color get paid what they deserve. I hope women learn to love their bodies. I hope women just continue to THRIVE.
Name a historic milestone for women that is personally important to you and why.
I feel SO lucky to see the first woman and first woman of color at that as Vice President. Sometimes things seem so far away and I feel so so lucky to live to see this become a reality.
Laura Roestel
What is your name and how would you describe your content?
My name is Laura Roestel. I describe my content as a way to express my personality and the things I love. Also, the most important thing about my content is that I show my true self and what a real woman is without trying to fit in or find acceptance in the social media world.
What does Women’s History Month mean to you?
Women’s History Month means a lot to me! For me, it’s a way to remind everyone how strong and amazing women are. It’s important to show what real women are and also share with the world what women are capable of.
How are you working to set an example for future generations of young women?
I am working to set an example for future generations by working hard on my clothing brand and demonstrating that if I can they also can do it. Also, showing what real women are to the youngest generations because nowadays we are in a world in which the youngest generations believe everything they see in social media which means they think that we all should be perfect when in reality we are women, and should not be ashamed of our imperfections because that is what makes us unique and perfectly imperfect.
Name a woman from history that inspires you today.
Carolina Herrera and Selena Quintanilla. Because both are inspirational Latin women.
What do you hope to see change in the next 10 years for women’s empowerment?
I hope to see more opportunities for women in all industries. Even nowadays we still see stigma on being women when trying to get a job, so I hope we can demonstrate how capable we are to assume big positions.
Name a historic milestone for women that is personally important to you and why.
A historic milestone for women that is personally important to me is Selena Quintanilla making a huge impact in the United States with the Latin culture. Since I am Latina I know how hard it can be to be accepted in other cultures, so Selena Quintanilla demonstrates that no matter where are you from, you can always find a way to shine just being who you are.
Sigourney Nuñez
What is your name and how would you describe your content?
My name is Sigourney Nuñez, and I am a nail artist with a passion to show others how to expertly do their nails at home.
What does Women’s History Month mean to you?
Women’s History Month is a great opportunity to spotlight trailblazers in our community and pay homage to those who have paved a way to give us confidence to be bold and break barriers. While it’s great to have a month dedicated to extraordinary females, I also believe we should be celebrating women all year round.
How are you working to set an example for future generations of young women?
Some of the topics I typically tackle on my platform are mental health, self-care, and imposter syndrome. As a daughter of immigrants who ended up working in corporate America, I often found myself being in a room with people who didn’t look like me and I often felt like I didn’t belong or wasn’t good enough to be there. It took me years to learn that wasn’t true. I hope that the vulnerability I express online can inspire future generations to know their worth and for them to learn that they are worthy of taking up space.
Name a woman from history that inspires you today.
Not to be cliche but a woman in history who inspires me today is my mom. In the 1980s, my mom was a single woman who immigrated to the U.S. and didn’t speak any English. Despite those hurdles, she worked hard to provide a life for herself and her children. She instilled an unparalleled work ethic in me and taught me how to be strong amid challenges.
What do you hope to see change in the next 10 years for women’s empowerment?
I hope to see more women in leadership (politically and in the corporate environment) and to close the gender pay gap. Women today lack the same economic opportunities as men and are paid unfairly for their contributions. In the future, I hope a more equitable workplace is created.
Name a historic milestone for women that is personally important to you and why.
For me, learning about Dolores Huerta and her leading the farm worker’s rights movement was a big deal. She ensured that female farm workers were provided their rights as well and she is basically one of the first Latina feminists I learned about in elementary school. Her empowering slogan, “Si se puede,” is a mantra that motivates me today and inspires me to persevere.
Seriously, aren’t these ladies phenomenal? We’re hoping their messages resonate and inspire you to proudly continue celebrating Women’s History Month. Stay tuned for our next blog in this series featuring more rue21 boss chicks from the field.
