Girl Power: Five Young Women Your Daughters Can (Seriously!) Look Up To

While many celebrities have made it clear that being a role model simply isn’t part of their job description, it’s almost impossible for anyone, particularly young women, not to see them that way when keeping up with the Kardashians has become a national pastime.

Factor in that any famous person worth his/her salt also has a clothing line, a signature fragrance, jewelry, trinkets and a book or two just to make sure all the branding bases are covered, and it’s practically impossible to escape their influence.

And if that wasn’t terrifying enough, these women aren’t even portrayed as they really are, thanks to copious amounts of Photoshop-ing that ensures every bump, lump and wrinkle is expertly hidden from view. It’s no wonder so many women struggle with self-esteem and body image when that’s the expectation of what a beautiful, thriving woman should look and act like.

Thankfully, there are a few high-profile types who happily go against the grain – young women your daughters can (seriously!) look up to in a world that desperately needs positive examples. Proving that the perfect designer wardrobe and the right guy by your side isn’t a prerequisite for making a real difference in the world, here are five examples of true girl power.

#1. Jordin Sparks, recording artist, “American Idol” winner and actress, who’s making her feature film debut in next month’s Sparkle with the late Whitney Houston
Already a multi-faceted talent at the age of 22, Jordin Sparks has won “American Idol,” performed on Broadway, made memorable cameos on popular TV shows, been named one of People’s 50 “Most Beautiful People” and as if that weren’t enough, her singles have been a regular fixture on Billboard’s Hot 100.

Apparently not content to rest on her laurels, the “Idol” alum is also making her feature film debut in one of the summer’s most anticipated films, Sparkle, where she plays the title character. Starring alongside the late Whitney Houston, the story is about three sisters from an all-girls group who make it big in Motown, only to find that fame is not quite as alluring as it once seemed.

To prevent that very idea from being her personal storyline, Sparks has often said it’s her faith, family and friends who keep her grounded. And by staying true to her convictions like reserving sex exclusively for marriage, dressing modestly and making it her mission not to let unwholesome talk come out of her mouth, she’s become a strong role model, a responsibility she doesn’t take lightly.

In an interview with OK Magazine, Sparks said being a role model is “fun” but it’s also something she can never forget about because it requires her to always “watch myself, watch my mouth and who I hang out with.”

But then again, if she can hold tight to her values like she did when she stood up to the notoriously bawdy Russell Brand at a nationally televised awards show (he razzed the Jonas Brothers about their purity rings), well, apparently, she’s up for anything.

Next: #2. Carrie Underwood, country music recording artist and “American Idol” winner