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I am applying for the Ann Taylor Leadership Program which is a 3 day leadership workshop in Washington, D.C. The program accepts 50 girls and gives them the tools to go back to their community and change what's around them. The program is cost free, as it is sponsored by the Ann Taylor clothing company. The program also gives grants to students in the fall after the program, to carry out their idea. One of the questions on the application is about your role model. I honestly did not know where to start, it's not a question I often think about. I decided to do some research and I happened upon this beautiful artist, Frida Kahlo. She was a Mexican artist who suffered throughout her life. She was diagnosed with polio at a young age and at the age of 18 was in an almost fatal street car crash. She was able to fight through her injuries by playing sports, for which she was encouraged to do so by her father. She became politically active by joining political clubs at school and having discussions with her friends about the topics. She also fought through a destructive marriage with another artist, Diego Rivera. Currently, Frida Kahlo is known as one of the best Mexican painters and an icon of female creativity. What I love about this artist is that she is known for her self portraits. She has been quoted saying, "I paint myself because I am so often alone and because I am the subject I know best." I think this is a wonderful statement, because it encourages girls to realize that they do know themselves best and that it's not wrong to appreciate your own beauty and character. After everything that she went through, she deserves to be the subject of something important. As a lover of art, she really inspires me to start looking into myself more when I work on art. Recently we worked on self portraits in art class, and I didn't realize how proud of my work I was until I was done and I realized the immense amount of creativity and skill I had put into the piece. Looking at this artist, I am inspired to do more self portraits and pieces that can help me bring out more of my personality. Not only was Kahlo an artist, but she was able to balance her love of government and international affairs with being a model of personality and individuality in her art. Frida Kahlo inspires me, and she inspires others through her self appreciation and acknowledgement.