Quannah Chasinghorse named USA TODAY honoree for Women of the Year

Quannah Chasinghorse is one of USA TODAY’s Women of the Year, a recognition of women who have made a significant impact in their communities and across the country. Find out about this year’s honorees at womenoftheyear.usatoday.com.

Environmental activist, model, and Native American advocate Quannah Chasinghorse never saw faces like the one she stared at again in magazine and catalogs that she did as a young girl. With its original jewelry and Hän Gwich’in face tattoo, a tradition dating back thousands of years, Chasinghorse has redefined what looks beautiful and who gets paid to represent ‘the beautiful’. And Chasinghorse knows that representation is important. a lot.

But her pioneering work is not limited to the pages of fashion magazines. Aboriginal model, and is a proud member of the Gwich’in and Sičangu/Oglala tribes are also available An outspoken advocate for environmental issues, sustainability, women’s rights, and Native American rights.

Chasinghorse grew up inspired by her mother and her aunts, women who she says weren’t afraid to “take up space and share their experiences”. Her mother, a single parent, was rooted in the Aboriginal community and worked tirelessly as an advocate for their community. Today, the model, advocate, and activist now takes up space and uses her platform to advocate for the environment, indigenous rights, BIPOC, and the rights of women and girls. she…