Olympic gold medalist Tara Davis-Woodhall is embracing her natural hair and advocating for textured hair representation through a partnership with Dove. Her involvement in Dove’s #CodeMyCrown campaign aims to address the lack of emojis representing natural and protective hairstyles, such as afros, braids, and locs.
Davis-Woodhall’s personal hair journey has been one of self-discovery and acceptance. She shared that she began relaxing her hair at a young age and only saw her natural curls for the first time at 21. “Now I switch between braids, sew-ins, and my natural hair. But I’m still not always confident. Some days, I still hide it,” she admitted. Her candidness resonates with many who have faced similar struggles in embracing their natural hair.
The #CodeMyCrown initiative, a collaboration between Dove and RISE.365, seeks to persuade the Unicode Consortium to include emojis that represent natural Black hairstyles. Despite nearly 4,000 emojis available, there is a noticeable absence of icons depicting styles like afros, braids, and locs. Davis-Woodhall’s advocacy highlights the importance of digital representation in fostering inclusivity and self-expression.
In a recent Instagram post, Davis-Woodhall unveiled her natural afro, a rare glimpse that garnered widespread support. “RARE PHOTO!! Many of you have never seen my natural hair… wild! Wanna know something else wild? There are no emojis that reflect my natural hair type,” she captioned. Her husband, Paralympic medalist Hunter Woodhall, expressed admiration for her look, sharing the post with heart-eyed emojis.
Davis-Woodhall’s efforts extend beyond digital representation. Her partnership with Dove also aligns with broader initiatives to combat hair discrimination and promote acceptance of natural hair textures. By sharing her journey and advocating for change, she inspires others to embrace their authentic selves and challenges societal beauty standards.
