Former Model Defends Womanhood

WHAT'S WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE?

"From the top of our government to the corner of our classrooms, a lie has woven into the culture," Jennifer says. "The lie is: Gender is only a social construct. Therefore, womanhood is only a social construct. The notion that gender is socially constructed is now steeply baked into our laws and customs. In many places, males who feel like females can change their birth certificates and freely enter female bathrooms, sports, beauty pageants, and prisons. Never mind that gender identity does not exist in all of creation. Never mind that the plant and animal kingdoms are not defined this way. Never mind if women and girls feel scared, exposed, and vulnerable due to prior experience with male violence," she says. Some examples in American culture of what Jennifer is referring to are:

•    The House passing a bill for women to be drafted into the military.
•    Pastors remaining silent on gender issues.
•    Feminism, which does not work in marriage.  

WHAT IS A WOMAN?

"'Woman means 'man + womb,'" Jennifer quotes from the 1828 American Dictionary. After a careful study of the Hebrew word for woman, neqevah, Jennifer says the meaning is deep and rich, correlating to the four letters which comprise it.     
•   Nun is the first letter, and means seed, referring to the seed planted within the woman.  
•   Kof, the second letter, which means life-giver. "As the rising and setting of the sun symbolize the passage of time, so the kof signifies the continuations of the generations that will come through the female."
•   Bet is the third letter, which means, "guardian of the home." Jennifer explains, "It is the woman's responsibility - in unity with her husband, of course - to watch over what people, influences, and activities come into the home; she is the spiritual guardian and manager."
•   Hey is the last of the four letters, meaning life, breath, revelation. "The female is appointed to be the setting for the family; she continues the cycle of life. As the source of life, she brings insight and sensitivity to all her relationships."   

PICTURE PERFECT

Jennifer started modeling at the ripe old age of eight, because her mother wanted her growing daughter to learn how to be more graceful and coordinated. Modeling school became a world in which she seemed to fit well. When Jennifer was 17, she was offered a modeling contract from the high-profile agent, Nina Blanchard, and an academic scholarship to USC. After graduating high school, Jennifer embarked on a whirlwind summer, working in Germany, France, Greece, Australia, and Italy before returning home to start school in the fall.  

She modeled for TV commercials, ad campaigns, catalogs, and classes, and continued this lifestyle for the next six years. "I went hard after perfection until it nearly killed me," she admits. "I went after the perfect size, the perfect shape, the perfect image, the perfect look, being the perfect daughter, taking the perfect path and making the perfect escape." By the time Jennifer was 22, she had become extremely thin, her hair turned brittle and fell out in clumps, her eye sockets were dark, and the jobs soon dropped off. It was then she struggled with depression and wanted to give up.    

Jennifer met an evangelist in a park, who gave her a New Testament and invited her to church. She went to church and felt comfortable and loved. When she read the Bible, Jennifer learned what Jesus had done on the cross for all His people, and on a mountaintop in Germany, she gave her heart to Christ.  

To purchase Jennifer Strickland's book, I Am a Woman, please visit www.URMore.org, where you can also learn more about her podcast, I Am a Woman.