issue39_URIT

Erika
What makes you IT?
“ I believe that what makes me “IT” is my confidence in
not only my looks, but in my intelligence and my ability to
accomplish the dreams that I set my mind to. “
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
“I want to be a Licensed Professional Counselor,
working with children and families in the adoption
process. I want to fill my days helping children process
through their individual journeys and help them find a
permanent, loving, and nurturing homes.”
What’s something people wouldn’t guess about you?
“ I’ve had tea with the Duchess of Austria in her palace.”
What made you decide to start modeling?
“ I have been an artist my entire life. One day one of my
photographer friends asked me to participate in a shoot.
I loved the idea of being able to be a collaborative part of
someone else’s art- to even be the art.”
What’s something you can’t live without?
“My twin sister.”
What’s your favorite quote?
“I am and always will be the optimist, the hoper of
far-flung hopes and the dreamer of improbable dreams.”
Who/what inspires you?
“The children that I work with. If they can overcome and
thrive after everything they have been through, I can make
it through anything that comes my way. “
Any advice for other women?
“ People are going to underestimate you, due to your
gender, but you can use that to your advantage and
surprise everyone if you work hard and are determined
to accomplish your goals. Most importantly- be kind. It is
easy to try to bring other women down, because it may
give you the instant gratification of making you feel better
about yourself, but that feeling won’t last. What will last is
the knowledge that you were kind to someone who needed
it, and that you helped build up another person in a world
that is always trying to bring other people down.”
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