Posted @withregram • @vanessavandyke Many of you do not know the story behind @vanessasessence and what our mission really is. In 2013, I became the victim of natural hair discrimination in my school. I was told that I would either need to cut or straighten my hair in order for the bullying to stop by my principal. Shortly after, this story went viral on the news practically overnight and I was faced with backlash and an overwhelming amount of support at the same time. As a 12 year old girl at the time, I didn’t have the confidence or self-esteem to understand that my hair was beautiful the way it was. However, from this negative situation, I was able to speak on the talk show @therealdaytime about how I overcame something like this and turning it into a positive by being the spokesperson of @vanessasessence letting every little girl and woman know that they can wear their hair with pride in the school or the workforce and who they are is beautiful. @ebonymagazine created a hashtag #afroday specifically after they were made aware of my story so that I, and girls can feel empowered with their skin and hair. I was also able to be featured in “Natural Hair The Movie” on Amazon. @bringoutthedolls was also started by a wonderful group of women who heard my story and decided to create this annual charity event that collects dolls and donates them to children in shelters every Christmas with me being one of the hostesses. I hosted my very first @bringoutthedolls with @erickadunlap Miss America 2004. Fast forward to last year at Bring Out the Dolls Atlanta, it was proclaimed by the Mayor and City Council of South Fulton County that every year on December 12th would be “Vanessa Van Dyke Bring Out the Dolls Day.” I am now representing the same city as Miss Fulton County USA in the Miss Georgia USA 2021 pageant. I am so grateful for how far I’ve come since 2013 breaking stereotypes and helping young girls and women feel confident in who they are, and I will continue to do so. @greenwoodproductions #naturalhair #vanessavandyke #vanessasesssence #confidentlybeautiful #missgeorgiausa #missusa #missuniverse https://www.instagram.com/p/CEc4dwbgTS-/?igshid=1pbk6rj5l2vb9