I actually started modeling in Ethiopia, because that's where I grew up, and I started out by just doing little fashion shows for school, and I liked it so much that I started pursuing it.

It is important for me that I represent a brand that reflects my personality.

Midwives and doctors play a crucial role preventing unnecessary maternal deaths. They educate women about nutrition, health and family planning. And they step in when complications arise.

Children with healthy mothers are much more likely to survive childhood, attend school and live healthy, productive lives.

My children are still young, but I try to talk to them about giving back and how important it is, just to look at the world, be invested in things, to be passionate about things, to have a dream.

Every day we hear about the dangers of cancer, heart disease and AIDS. But how many of us realize that, in much of the world, the act of giving life to a child is still the biggest killer of women of child-bearing age?

President Obama has made maternal health one of the core priorities of U.S. international aid funding.