For so long, I thought beauty was something I had to earn, that worth had to be proven, and that love was transactional and something I had to chase.

I know what it’s like to feel like you don’t quite belong, to stand in a room and wonder if everyone can see right through you, to compare yourself to other women and feel like you come up short.

Growing up, I learned early that being different wasn’t always celebrated. I carried the sting of teasing, body shame, and comparison like heavy stones in my pockets. I wanted so badly to be chosen, to be seen, to feel like I was enough.

So, I got really good at hiding, at performing, at pretending, at molding myself into who I thought people wanted me to be.

“You’re too loud.” “You’re too bold.” “You take up too much space.”

How many times have you heard these words? It usually comes packaged with other hits like too ambitious, too emotional, or too confident, as if your existence needs muting to be palatable.

But let’s be real, calling a woman “too much” is just the world’s lazy way of trying to shrink her brilliance. It’s how society quietly says, “Your presence disrupts the status quo.”

Well guess what? That disruption is your superpower.

In the ever-evolving world of beauty, there have always been remarkable women who defied the norms, broke barriers, and reshaped the industry with their vision, tenacity, and creativity. As we celebrate Women's History Month, let's spotlight some of these trailblazing pioneers whose contributions continue to inspire and pave the way for future generations.