Lauren Debter Forbes Staff
Tuesday June 18, 2019
Models Halima Aden and Ashley Graham pose at Forbes' 2019 Women's Summit. Julia Ferrier
When Halima Aden became the first woman to wear a hijab and burkini in Sports Illustrated’s latest swimsuit issue, it came as quite the surprise to her parents. “It was news for my entire family when that came out,” said Aden, 21, with a laugh at Forbes’ 2019 Women’s Summit held on Tuesday in New York City.
Aden, a Somali-American model, made history when she appeared in the magazine donning the modest attire favored by many observant Muslim women. (A burkini is a full-body swimsuit.) Aden, who was born in a Kenyan refugee camp and moved to the United States when she was seven years old, first made waves when she wore a hijab and burkini during the swimsuit competition of the Miss Minnesota USA pageant in 2016.
As she has charted new territory in the modeling industry, one person who still has trouble with her choice of career is her mom. “The truth is, she will never understand . ... She didn’t walk 12 days from Somalia to Kenya for me to just walk a runway,” said Aden, referring to her mom’s journey from her homeland in Somalia to a refugee camp. “I tell her that it’s a platform for me to use to share my story.”" progressive="" position="">
>
For instance, Aden said she has often been approached by young girls who say they didn’t know they could dress modestly and still pursue a career in fashion. She takes pride in setting an example for them to follow. “Being first means nothing if there isn’t a second, third or fourth,” said Aden. She is also an ambassador for UNICEF, where she has advocated for the rights of other refugees.
Aden was interviewed by Ashley Graham, a plus-size model who made history in 2016 when she became the first size 14 model ever featured on the covers of Sports Illustrated and Vogue.