Harnaam Kaur: A Love Letter and Thank You Note
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If you look up the definition of “Empress” in the dictionary… you will find Harnaam Kaur. Similarly, if you google’d the oldy-worldy phrase “Doyenne” (the most respected or prominent woman in a particular field) you would also find her there.
You will find her under the words “Leader” and “Activist”. You will know already she is definitely under the phrase “Protector”…You don’t even need to check. She is under the definition of “Rebel” and “Record Breaker“.
Harnaam Kaur was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome at the age of 12 and as a result developed Hirsutism which is defined as “…excessive body hair in men and women on parts of the body where hair is normally absent or minimal…” But Harnaam would argue that there is nothing “excessive” about her beard and that it is exactly as it is meant to be.
“I decided to keep my beard and step forward against society’s expectations of what a woman should look like. Today I am not suicidal and I do not self harm. Today I am happy living as a young beautiful bearded woman. I have realised that this body is mine, I own it, I do not have any other body to live in so I may as well love it unconditionally.”
What is wonderful about Harnaam, is that she has taught us all that there is nothing out of the ordinary about her glorious beard. What could possibly be so controversial about her displaying her body hair and loving it? What could be wrong with loving herself just the way she is and going against every perception of a female’s body hair?
Harnaam Kaur has donned her beard since she was 16 years old. She is now a full time activist, model and advocate, walking cat walks and doing interviews with the national press. She also has her own beard oil. There is no one more knowledgeable of what it means to be in love with yourself and how to use this to create your own brand of beauty. When referring to being at peace and having confidence with your body, I always, always talk about Harnaam. Nothing and no one can possibly suggest she isn’t an icon.
Harnaam is everything I aspire to be. I wish to be my own muse. I wish to tattoo myself on my body and indulge in that level of self love. While I may not be there quite yet, I certainly wouldn’t be where I am now without Harnaam and her Goddess-like power to encourage myself to be in love with me.
(Photos are from Kaur’s Instagram, the first is a self portrait, the second is her sitting on a bedroom carpet, the walls are surrounded in photos.)
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