“The times when you have the most growth and make the most progress are when you’re challenged and have obstacles,” said Dayle Haddon. “That happened to me when I lost my husband and most all my finances. At nearly 40, I went back to zero with a teenage girl to support and an industry that didn’t want me.”
“Educate a girl, and you change the world.”
Dayle Haddon is the only model to have had four major contracts as the face and international spokesperson for L’Oréal, Revlon, Estée Lauder and Max Factor. She’s posed for over 100 magazine covers and has written two international bestselling books, so it’s especially surprising that Dayle found herself with no money and no job prospects.
“The modeling industry told me I was over the hill,” Dayle said. “I would never work again. That was so wrong! There were no women over 40, representing beauty creams meant for them. The companies were saying: ‘Women over 40 are invisible, and the only kind of beauty was a wrinkle-free beauty; a 20-year-old beauty.’ I believe true beauty has nothing to do with the quality of our skin. Beauty emanates from within.
“It was a scary time. I’d modeled and had been a covergirl, but I didn’t have any other opportunities waiting for me. I thought I’d waitress, and if anyone I knew saw me, I’d just say I’m studying for a part in a film, but I couldn’t even get a job waitressing.
“I finally got a job in a small advertising agency. My job requirements were making coffee and washing dishes, which I didn’t do very well. I was grateful to get that job and get back into the workforce, and I knew I’d use it to move on to the next step. I was experiencing what many women had experienced their whole life: the lack of value and the humiliation. It gave me a tremendous amount of compassion for what many women have to go through every day.”
WomenOne.org
“WomenOne is a nonprofit I founded in 2008. I’ve been a UNICEF ambassador for 10 years (now 12)and traveled all over Africa for them; to Darfur, Angola, Rwanda, Congo. It was during a rural trip in Angola that I saw women who’d walked all night—with babies strapped to their backs—for treatment. A doctor pulled me aside and said, “Could you please help us? We need two microscopes to do our work properly. Could you ask for that?” I went to the powers that be and they said, “That’s too small for us.” At that moment, the light bulb went on, and I thought there’s room for a smaller organization, so that’s how the idea of WomenOne was born.
“Initially I thought we’d solve problems wherever they came up, but it wasn’t specific enough. I had to become an expert in an area, so I chose education. Our primary mission is quality education for girls, globally, working with communities on the ground. Clean water, vaccinations, food… It’s all important, but with an education, you can change everything. I chose secondary education for girls 13 to 18, because that’s the drop-off point. That’s when you lose a girl. At 12 or 13 she’s either married off, or brought back into the family to work in the home. By not educating girls, you’re perpetuating the cycle of poverty. If a girl can read, she has a 50 percent chance of her child living beyond the age of five. When you educate a girl, you’re really impacting up to seven people because girls give back to their community.
“My WomenOne Executive Director, Amy Hepburn, whom I love, and our group of about five people move in smart ways that has allowed us to bring in very big players. We’ve had MasterCard Foundation as a partner for the last two years.
“Most of the women I work with in Africa don’t know what I’ve done before. They don’t pick up a Vogue, or they haven’t seen me in a makeup campaign, so they don’t know. Our trappings might look a bit different, but it doesn’t matter. We’re still women. We still want the same things in life. We want to love and be loved. We want to give our unique gifts, to be healthy and feel valuable.”
“As we age, we shouldn’t desperately hang-on to what was, but stop and listen to what is,” says Dayle. “What is it about the age you are now that has secrets to tell you? You will never hear what they are until you’re open.”
[Since my interview with Dayle, the U.N. Women for Peace Association awarded her their Humanitarian Award for her efforts through WomenOne. Vanity Fair magazine nominated Dayle to Vanity Fair’s Hall of Fame for her work with Syrian Refugees. Town & Country magazine named her one of the top 50 philanthropists. God bless you, Dayle, for all you do for women and children. xoxox, Brenda]
26 thoughts on “DAYLE HADDON: COVERGIRL, SUPERMODEL & CHAMPION OF EDUCATING GIRLS”
She’s inspiring. I read and enjoyed one of her books but had no idea of the struggles she’s overcome. The fact that she turned her adversity into a program for strengthening girls makes me respect her all the more! I love the interviews Brenda. Thanks.
Xx
Jennifer,
Dayle’s an amazing woman. I’m glad you enjoy the interviews. Hope you’re getting stronger. Hate to see you in pain.
xoxox,
Brenda
Wonderful story and very inspiring. She is clearly a beauty – inside and out.
Thanks, Shari for reading! Dayle is funny as well. Like most of the women I know, she’s strong, smart and amazing! Brenda
Great interview. Dayle is an inspiration to all women over 40/50/60. We are never too old or ‘over the hill’ to make a difference.
b
Hi Barbara,
Thank you! Speaking of inspiring women, your daughter-in-law stopped by and left some comments on my blog. I’m happy she’s finished with chemo and doing so well.
xoxox,
Brenda
Dayle was always one of my favorite models because of her stunning look: porcelain skin and dark hair. And now I find that she’s got a spine of steel! Every time you write a profile on a woman, I’m encouraged to hope for more, try new things, DO more! I love what Dayle said about growth during times of challenge…something I know to be true. I’m going to be looking for more info about WomenOne. Thanks, Brenda!
Val,
You’re right: Dayle has a spine of steel. I can only imagine the guts it took to go from being one of the most recognizable faces in the world, to trying–and failing–to get a job as a waitress! She persevered and now, she’s empowering not just herself but women around the world. Wow!
XOXOX,
Brenda
I love when someone uses adversity for the greater good!! What a wonderful, inspiring story.
I admire Dayle and know it wasn’t easy for her. Dayle’s story resonates with so many of us. Thanks for stopping by, Brenda
What an inspiring woman. Love this quote “As we age, we shouldn’t desperately hang-on to what was, but stop and listen to what is,”
Susan Kanoff http://www.themidlifefashionista.com
Great advice for all of us! Brenda
What a nice interview. She is lovely on the inside and on the outside. Thank you for sharing at the Thursday Favorite Things blog hop. Pinned and featured xo
Hi Katherine! Thanks so much. Brenda
This was a great wake-up call to remember that true beauty is that which shines from within. Thanks for sharing your interview on the My Refined Style Linkup. See you next month!
Shellie
http://www.thefabjourney.com
Thanks Shellie! Brenda
I enjoyed you as the Talbot’s model the most. I am sorry you left because the pictorials are blah since you left. I congratulate you on working on young girls and women’s behalf in Africa.
Thank you, Michele, for your sweet comment about Dayle. I will pass it along to her. Brenda
I love hearing about women who chose to help others over focusing on themselves.. The is the definition of REAL beauty!
You’re so right, Kim! Women like you! xoxox, Brenda
YOU JUST NEVER KNOW THE WHOLE STORY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SHE IS A BEAUTIFUL WOMAN!!!!!
THANK YOU for sharing this with us!
XX
And thank you for reading about Dayle! She is a special person. xoxox, Brenda
What an inspiring story! I know what it is to see a problem and feel that fire burning to solve it. I’m beginning this now and trying to figure out the steps. This gives me such great hope.
That’s exciting, Rena! Thanks for letting me know. We all need inspiration from others who’ve taken the first bite of the elephant. Brenda
Fascinating and very inspiring. She’s beautiful inside and outside.
…and determined and focused and brave! Thanks for reading and commenting, Laurie. I know Dayle appreciates it as do I. Brenda
Comments are closed.