Tyra Banks

Tyra Banks, at the age of 20, was the first black woman to sign for a cosmetic company at the age of 23, Tyra Banks was the first black model to be on the cover of Sports Illustrated's Swimsuit issue.

She has a love for children, animals and the enviorment. She also feels very strong about a good education. And that's what makes her stand out as a good role model. Tyra currently is promoting a line of greeting cards for Children + Families, an organization dedicated to helping abused and neglected kids. The cards, Cards From The Heart by Tyra's Kidsuccess Kids, were created by children aged 8 and 9 in an after-school reading and arts program. The project is designed to enhance literacy for children living in troubled environments. She's demonstrated her love for nature by journeying to the Costa Rican rainforest to bring the plight of that endangered ecosystem to the world's attention.