The ‘Ladybrille Woman of the Week’ is a feature on Ladybrille that celebrates women who empower themselves and others, through their contributions and actions, in their local and international communities. These women are intelligent, courageous, confident, and innovative. They strive for balance in their personal lives (whether emotionally, mentally, and spiritually), are persistent, and when they fall, they get right back up. These women honor and stand in their truths. They are business and community leaders, visionaries, and game changers. They are our sisters, aunties, mothers, friends and so much more. They are “Ladybrille” (brilliant) women.
If you are a woman or know of a woman who should be celebrated as a ‘Ladybrille Woman of the Week,’ please feel free to email ([email protected]).
This week, we celebrate Belinda Baidoo, New York and Ghana based top fashion model Belinda Baidoo. Belinda operates a modeling agency in Ghana, has done photography work and also operates a charity foundation for the less privileged in Ghana, among many of her contributions to the fashion industry.
LADYBRILLE: What do you do professionally and what have some of your accomplishments been to date?
BELINDA: I have been in the fashion industry for over 15 years as a professional model. I also run a boutique in Accra, Ghana called Beedagel Boutique. We carry western clothes, Beedagel label by Belinda Baidoo, of which all the clothes are made with African Prints. Professionally, I have also been privileged to have worked with some of the world’s renowned photographers, fashion designers, hair and make-up artists as well as some of the biggest companies in the fashion industry such as L’Oreal, Nike, Giorgio Armani, Ralph Lauren, Clairol, Mizani, Victoria Secret, Donna Karen, Marc Jacobs, MAC Cosmetics, Target, Clinique, Guinness and many more. I also graced the cover of some of the top magazines such as African Pride, Canoe magazine, and Metro-pop. One of my biggest campaign was for Motorola, a billboard at Time Square for over a year, which was also seen across America and Europe.
LADYBRILLE: (Lovely.) What drives you to make a difference in your community the way you currently are, and have?
BELINDA: I grew up in a rural area and faced a couple of challenges. So when God open the door for me, I decided to offer help to those who face similar challenges to those I encounted growing up.
LADYBRILLE: What is the positive talk you have with yourself on days you find thoughts and feelings of self-doubt trying to creep in?
BELINDA: I build myself up by being positive at all times, loving myself knowing that it’s okay to make mistakes because better days lies ahead.
LADYBRILLE: What makes you smile?
BELINDA: Playing with my twins (children) and eight hours of sleep
LADYBRILLE: Health is so important but often many brilliant women simply neglect self because they are always so busy serving others. How are you taking care of your health (mental, emotional, physical, spiritual)?
BELINDA: By doing yoga. I exercise four times a week, getting regular massage, going to church and by watching what I eat.
LADYBRILLE: What is the conversation you believe that we as women, and particularly African women, need to be having collectively?
BELINDA: I believe we as African Women should learn about ways to support each other and it should be a priority in our conversations.
LADYBRILLE: Please share with our community of young women entrepreneurs one empowering piece of advice/ message?
BELINDA: Always have faith in yourself and believe in what you do in life.
LADYBRILLE: Tell us how you define yourself, the Ladybrille (brilliant) woman?
BELINDA: I see myself as a strong African woman who is a winner, a loving-hardworking and generous person who likes to inspire others.
For more information please visit www.belindabaidoo.com . Photocredit: www.belindabaidoo.com.
A running feature for 12 years on Ladybrille.com, The ‘Ladybrille Woman of the Month’ celebrates women in business and leadership, who empower themselves and others through their contributions and actions in their local and international communities. In 2014, the feature expanded to include a podcast show. If you would like to nominate a woman to be celebrated, please email [email protected].
