Aimee Mullins has broken through barriers consistently and is a woman of achievement in numerous categories. Undergoing a double leg amputation at the age of one, she learned to adjust for the loss of limbs by achieving in the classroom, becoming an athlete who could excel on the track thanks to determination, training, and woven carbon-fiber prostheses that are modeled after a cheetah’s hind legs, a model whose appearance emphasized her prostheses, an actress with soul, and a TED talk speaker who stood at any height she wished on the limbs of her choice.
Mullins participated vigorously in swimming, skiing, soccer, biking, and softball. She graduated from high school with honors and was awarded a full academic scholarship to Georgetown University pursuing a career in the School of Foreign Service. She earned a top-secret security clearance in the Pentagon at the age of 17 and worked there as an intelligence analyst during her summer breaks. The spirit of competition propelled her to conversation with track coach Frank Gagliano and their collaboration led to Aimee’s NCAA Division One honors in breaking world records in the 100 meter, 200 meter, and the long jump as an amputee using her prototype prosthetic sprinting legs.
Mullins turned to modeling, film, and magazine coverage because of interest in the unique image she projected. Soon she was speaking about design, aesthetics, femininity, and beauty and took to the runways, modeling clothing by Alexander McQueen. She was named as one of People Magazine’s 50 most beautiful women in the world and was named as L’Oréal Paris Global Brand Ambassador in 2011.
Mullins is an advocate for a positive approach to life despite obstacles. She is a woman who is innovative, driven, intelligent, educated, adaptable, and who stands tall in every endeavor she confronts.
