Nine years ago, Stephanie Kurlow and her family converted to Islam. At the time, Miss Kurlow says she was concerned that her religious beliefs might be in conflict with her artistic endeavors. As these inspiriting photos show, Miss Kurlow, now only fourteen, has clearly left her doubts behind and is on track to becoming the first professional ballerina in the world to wear a hijab.
The dancer is undaunted by the challenges thrown her way. “I’ve gotten those looks or those little whispers from people saying that I can’t do it, and there are some parts of the ballet world that only see me for the clothes I wear, or the beliefs I have,” says the teen ballerina. “But this means everything to me. I think I can bring people together through dance and inspire some young people from different races that might be a bit disengaged.”
And we say, lead by example and DANCE ON!
