Selita Ebanks

Having become one of the world's most recognized supermodels, Selita Ebanks used the power of her celebrity to assist with a variety of charitable causes that helped raise money and awareness for women in war-torn Africa and underprivileged children and families dealing with the ravages of HIV/AIDS. Born on Feb. 15, 1983 in George Town, Grand Cayman, the capital of the Cayman Islands, Ebanks immigrated to the United States when she was young, settling in Staten Island with her family, which consisted of seven brothers, making her the only girl in the household. Though she was accepted to several top universities, including Spelman College, Columbia University and New York University, Ebanks decided to put academics on hold after she was discovered at 17 years old waiting in line at Six Flags Great Adventure by an Elite Model Management representative. The young woman quickly rose up the ranks to become one of the world's top models, gracing the pages of Esquire, Glamour and Vanity Fair. Working with some of the world's most noted photographers like Mikael Jansson, Peter Lindbergh and Bruce Weber, Ebanks was seen in such top fashion campaigns as Tommy Hilfiger, Ralph Lauren and Abercrombie & Fitch. In 2005, she reached new heights when she became a featured model at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show alongside the likes of Heidi Klum and Tyra Banks.