CHRISTIE BRINKLEY SUPPORTS THE CAUSE
By: Hope Wilkos, Writer/Blogger Photographer: George Whylie Videographer: Maxine NolanOne of the ‘All-American’ girls of the 1970’s still carries that loyal and undying love for the great outdoors after all these years.
Christie Brinkley gained popularity with her winning smile and all natural ‘girl next door’ looks. Discovered in Paris, she began her modeling career in California and quickly became the recognized face of CoverGirl. With a face that beautiful and a figure to match, it was no wonder that she was chosen for three consecutive appearances on the cover of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issues in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s. She was the exclusive model of the first Sports Illustrated Calendar and in 2005, was part of the Special Sports Illustrated 40th Anniversary Issue’s Hall of Fame, an avenue to celebrate the most revered figures in the history of the magazine.
She has been on countless magazine covers and to this day she never seems to age. Christie has even walked the runway for the 2005 Red Dress Collection Fashion Show which has opened New York Fashion Week for many seasons.
Brinkley’s talents lie in more than just modeling and acting. She is a photographer incorporating her love of the outdoors into her pictures, an expressive writer and most innovative designer.
There is certainly a softer and more passionate side of Christie that has drawn her into the position of human, animal rights and environmental activist. Life in the Hamptons has given her the exciting opportunity to pursue her advocacy to the fullest extent. She has worked with a dedicated strength for years to raise awareness about nuclear radiation and the safety of our precious oceans. Recently this past June, Brinkley was honored at the South Fork Natural History Museum’s Gala for all the efforts that she has undertaken for such vital platforms.
Brinkley’s most essential media outlet as a means to spread the word to others is her Facebook page. With over 4,700 friends and growing in leaps and bounds daily, it reveals that loyalty runs deep. Christie sums it up perfectly, “Nature inspires us and has inspired artists and writers and poets. It’s such a necessary part of our lives. We need to stay in touch and not only appreciate and be inspired but protect what we have left, be involved and be an activist.” Her hobbies include an organic garden and the roses are absolutely gorgeous.
One of the greatest threats to our environment is nuclear waste. Shortly after moving to the Hamptons upon her first marriage to Billy Joel, she attended a dinner with Alec Baldwin and met Dr. Helen Caldicott, an Australian native and global anti-nuclear advocate. That fateful dinner set her given path to her future. Learning that she resided so close to nuclear reactors created unrest from within not only for herself but for the knowledge that she would have to raise her own children amongst the constant threat of these dangerous power plants. Who would have known what a powerful impact that night would have had on her life. Brinkley now sits on the Board of the Radiation and Public Health Project and uses the Tooth Fairy initiative (a project started by President Kennedy in the 1960’s during open-air nuclear testing during the Cold War) as a means to educate mothers on the dangers of nuclear isotopes and cancer and the effect this could have on our children.
Brinkley has alluded to the coincidental link between the high rate of breast cancer cases on Long Island to the close proximity of the nuclear power plants in the area and their waste that is excreted.
Pollution is also ruining our oceans and waterways and making it extremely difficult for marine life to thrive. We need to keep the oceans clean, keep the oceans safe and recognize that the ocean is also a crucial food source.
After all these years, Christie Brinkley’s work has only just begun. She continues to try and make a difference whenever possible for the good of our next generation. Ironically, some of her first modeling shots were in the white-capped waves and her heart has not wandered too far from that shoreline. This is where she finds her true calling.
Join Christie on Facebook and spread the word and become an advocate for the cause.
PHOTO CREDITS: www.sportsillustrated.cnn.com, www.contactmusic.com, societyallure.com, Christie Brinkley Facebook page
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