Halima Aden

I like shopping at retail places like JC Penney or Macy's, and maybe buying a top or a shirt, and then buying a skirt from Rue 21 or Forever 21 because they have the maxi skirts, which I appreciate so much, and then topping it off with something that I buy from a Somali shop.

Read quote

Being Somali, being Muslim, it's always something I've been very proud of.

Read quote

I love Somali foods like canjeero, a pancakelike bread; same for pizza, burgers, and sushi.

Read quote

I know that for me, a lot of people will look at me and they'll think 'Somali' or 'outsider' instead of 'Minnesota.'

Read quote

When people put labels on us, it doesn't always enclose everything that we are. So even though I'm proud to be Somali, I'm proud to be American, at the end of the day, I'm still Halima, and I take things from both sides and combine them, and I make my own little category. I'm me!

Read quote

I mix things from my Somali culture and my American side.

Read quote

I remember, when I lived in a refugee camp, it was the people who weren't Somali, the people who came from Western countries, who helped the most. I remember being six and thinking, 'I want to be one of those women,' because I knew how much they helped us.

Read quote

When I was younger, I didn't have that type of person that I could look up to and be like, 'OK, this is someone who dresses like me and I relate to.' I didn't have that growing up, so to give that opportunity to a younger generation of women - and not just Somali women, but anyone who feels different - that means a lot to me.

Read quote

For a really long time, I thought being different was a negative thing. But as I grew older, I started to realize we were all born to stand out; nobody is born to blend in.

Read quote

Always stay true to who you are - barriers can and will be broken!

Read quote

If there's one message I want people to take away is never compromise being your authentic self. Even if that means making others uncomfortable.

Read quote

Quotes by Halima Aden