Grace Strobel
{{Short description|American model, brand representative, and motivational speaker}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Grace Elizabeth Strobel
| image = Main Wiki Photo, Grace Strobel.jpg
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1996|06|28}}
| birth_place = Irvine, California, U.S.A.
| occupation = Model, Brand Representative, Speaker
| years_active = 2017–present
| agent = InVu Model and Talent, Zebedee Talent, Gamut Management
| known_for = Down Syndrome Model and Youth Outreach Speaker
| height =
| awards = Women of Achievement (for Youth Outreach), 2021; Watson Family Achievement Award, Pujols Family Foundation, 2022
| honours =
}}
Grace Elizabeth Strobel (born 28 June 1996) is a St. Louis-based model, brand representative, and motivational speaker. She is the first American with Down syndrome to represent a major international skincare line.{{cite news |date=1 October 2020 |title=Obagi Announces Partnership with Down Syndrome Advocate, Grace Strobel, as new SKINCLUSION Ambassador and Face of New Obagi Clinical Cleanser |publisher=AP News |url=https://apnews.com/press-release/pr-newswire/lifestyle-down-syndrome-health-international-relations-skin-care-102a4eab62c128bddbf780b422ce2b80 |access-date=15 April 2023}} She is an advocate for people with disabilities "whose mission is to change society's view and perception of people with disabilities".{{Cite web |last=Communications |first=NYU Web |title=Episode 57: Grace Strobel, Down Syndrome Advocate, Speaker, and Model |url=http://www.nyu.edu/content/nyu/en/life/safety-health-wellness/campus-safety/you-matter--podcast/episodes/episode-57--grace-strobel--down-syndrome-advocate |access-date=2023-11-04 |website=www.nyu.edu |language=en}}
Early life
Strobel was diagnosed at birth with Down syndrome, a genetic disorder featuring an extra chromosome that results in developmental and intellectual delays. Her parents, Linda and Jeff Strobel, were told their daughter would face a lifetime of challenges and likely never read or write. The Strobels were discontent with those predictions and gave her therapeutic exercises, home schooling, and eventually, public school. Despite all the challenges, Strobel was determined. "Doctors told my mom and dad that I would not achieve much ... that I would never even tie my own shoes," she said. "I'm here today to tell you they were wrong."{{cite news |date=21 March 2022 |title=Grace Strobel Pushing Boundaries |publisher=Yahoo!Life |url=https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/down-syndrome-advocate-grace-strobel-on-pushing-boundaries-201717691.html |access-date=15 April 2023}}
Modeling
Her interest in modeling began when she was conducting research for #TheGraceEffect, a presentation about living with disability that she gives to students. She discovered Madeline Stuart and Ellie Goldstein, also models with Down syndrome, which inspired Strobel to wonder if she too could become a model.{{Cite web |last=Norlian |first=Allison |date=10 August 2020 |title=At 24, This Model With Down Syndrome Has Appeared On The TODAY Show And Signed With Three Different Agencies. She Says She's Just Getting Started. |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/allisonnorlian/2020/08/10/at-24-this-model-with-down-syndrome-has-appeared-on-the-today-show-and-signed-with-three-different-agencies-she-says-shes-just-getting-started/ |access-date=4 November 2023 |website=Forbes |language=en}} Grace has been featured in Forbes, Allure,{{Cite web |last=Abelman |first=Devon |date=2021-03-21 |title=Grace Strobel Knows How Good Her Skin Looks |url=https://www.allure.com/story/grace-strobel-obagi-skin-care-routine-interview |access-date=2024-08-04 |website=Allure |language=en-US}} Brides and Vows Magazine,{{Cite web |title=Bridal Fashion Week: Designer Collections |url=https://www.brides.com/bridal-fashion-week-4692014 |access-date=2024-08-04 |website=Brides |language=en}} PBS,{{Cite web |last=Photography |first=Photos by Trotter |date=2021-07-09 |title=Meet the 2021 Women of Achievement |url=https://www.laduenews.com/business/meet-the-2021-women-of-achievement/collection_b83a7a86-e0d4-11eb-9e41-73991ca8b6ae.html |access-date=2024-08-04 |website=Ladue News |language=en}} The Today Show,{{Cite web |date=2019-10-14 |title=Model with Down syndrome shares an inspiring message of kindness and respect |url=https://www.today.com/style/model-down-syndrome-shares-inspiring-message-kindness-respect-t164566 |access-date=2024-08-04 |website=TODAY.com |language=en}} and FentyBeauty.{{Cite web |date=2022-02-15 |title=Chesterfield model with Down syndrome meets Rihanna at LA party |url=https://fox2now.com/news/missouri/chesterfield-model-with-down-syndrome-meets-rihanna-at-la-party/ |access-date=2024-08-04 |website=FOX 2 |language=en-US}}
After a viral post, Strobel was featured on the cover of Chesterfield Lifestyle Magazine in February 2019.{{cite news |last=Brown Patton |first=Julie |title=Modeling True Acceptance, Forgiveness and Love |publisher=Chesterfield City Lifestyle, St. Louis City Lifestyle |issue=February 2019 |url=https://citylifestyle.com/saint-louis-mo/articles/health-and-wellness/modeling-true-acceptance-forgiveness-and-love |access-date=15 April 2023}}
She has been featured in campaigns by Rihanna's FentyBeauty, Obagi skincare, Alivia, Justin Alexander, Kendra Scott,{{Cite web |date=2024-05-09 |title=Celebrating the bonds of mothers: Kendra Scott highlights local mom and daughter in latest campaign |url=https://www.ksdk.com/article/entertainment/television/show-me-st-louis/celebrating-the-bonds-of-mothers-kendra-scott-highlights-local-mom-and-daughter-in-latest-campaign/63-a619f4e1-5d0a-4c1c-b5f5-a8c73099f171 |access-date=2024-09-03 |website=ksdk.com |language=en-US}} and Veronica Beard.{{Cite web |last=LeBlanc |first=DeAnne |date=2022-03-01 |title=The Grace Effect: Local model is on a mission to change the world in style |url=https://www.westnewsmagazine.com/lifestyles/the-grace-effect-local-model-is-on-a-mission-to-change-the-world-in-style/article_af990822-99d2-11ec-a659-6fef10246f05.html |access-date=2024-09-03 |website=WestNewsMagazine.com |language=en}}
She has appeared at Atlantic City Fashion Week 2019 for designer Ola Hawatmeh{{Cite web |date=2019-02-12 |title=A St. Louis woman who is a model for diversity will hit the catwalk in Atlantic City |url=https://www.ksdk.com/article/news/local/local-woman-a-model-on-the-runway-and-a-model-for-diversity/63-1db1c9fb-2de9-4894-b699-99382c03eaaa |access-date=2024-09-03 |website=ksdk.com |language=en-US}} and New York Fashion Week runway for Tommy Hilfiger Adaptive / Runway of Dreams 2020.
In October 2020, she was named Obagi's Skinclusion Ambassador{{Cite web |last=Mitchell |first=Delia |date=1 October 2020 |title=Obagi Names Grace Strobel New Brand Ambassador |url=https://cew.org/beauty_news/obaji-names-grace-strobel-new-brand-ambassador/ |access-date=4 November 2023 |website=Cosmetic Executive Women}} and recently signed for her third year of contract representation.
Other
In 2022, the St. Louis-based Missouri Historical Society added seven of her donated clothing items to its permanent collection, stating that they had done so both because she is a notable local woman and because they offered an alternative to "stereotypical representations of life with a disability".{{Cite web |last=Travis |first=Photo by Trenna |date=2022-03-30 |title=St. Louis-Based Missouri Historical Society Preserves Clothes From Trailblazing Model Grace Strobel |url=https://www.laduenews.com/style/st-louis-based-missouri-historical-society-preserves-clothes-from-trailblazing-model-grace-strobel/article_9c57c234-b035-11ec-a2a4-df17a6b5206e.html |access-date=2024-08-21 |website=Ladue News |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=LeBlanc |first=DeAnne |date=2022-03-01 |title=The Grace Effect: Local model is on a mission to change the world in style |url=https://www.westnewsmagazine.com/lifestyles/the-grace-effect-local-model-is-on-a-mission-to-change-the-world-in-style/article_af990822-99d2-11ec-a659-6fef10246f05.html |access-date=2024-08-21 |website=WestNewsMagazine.com |language=en}}