Jennifer Atilémile Speaks Candidly on Being a Positive Representation for Young Girls

The model and writer spoke at a ‘Forbes Australia’ event last Wednesday.
Jennifer Atilémile

Jennifer Atilémile.


Model and activist Jennifer Atilémile participated in Forbes Australia’s Women’s Summit on March 22 in Sydney. She shared an incredibly inspirational clip to Instagram post-event.

When SI Swimsuit’s newest model was asked during a panel discussion how she advocates for representation in the fashion industry, Atilémile did not waste a second with her response.

The Australian-French model admitted that while her work “being a spokesperson” for change is at times exhausting, it’s worthwhile.

“I know that I’m changing lives and like that that representation is going to mean that a little girl is growing up and seeing someone that looks like them and knowing that they can do something and they can create change and they can be whoever they want to be, so that’s what keeps me going,” she stated.

The video snippet ended with a round of applause and enthusiastic cheers from the crowd.

“I was asked how do you stay resilient in advocating for representation and change - and watching this back I’m reminded of the quote ‘speak your truth even if your voice shakes,’” Atilémile wrote in her caption. “Yesterday I spoke my truth. Thank you @forbesaustralia for the platform.”

Several of the model’s 100,000 followers chimed in to the comments section to share their praise.

“You were so incredible yesterday,” Talitha Cummins gushed. “You spoke with such heart and conviction. ❤️.”

“👏 👏 👏 well said!!” the official Monday Swimwear account wrote.

“Get it girl!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️,” Fo Porter added.

Meet Jennifer Atilémile—read the 2023 SI Swimsuit rookie’s full feature profile here.

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Cara O’Bleness
CARA O’BLENESS

Cara is a trending news writer/editor for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit. A passionate writer and editor with more than 10 years of experience in print and online media, she loves storytelling and believes that words have the power to change the world. Prior to joining the team, Cara worked as a writer and editor across a number of content verticals, including food, lifestyle, health and wellness, and small business and entrepreneurship. In her free time, Cara loves reading, spending time with her family and making her way through Michigan’s many microbreweries. She is a graduate of Michigan State University's School of Journalism.