All bodies are beautiful, and body-positive proponent, blogger, and plus-size model Tess Holliday wants the world to know it. Holliday, formerly Tess Munster, was so badly bullied as a teenager that she dropped out of school at just 17. She has since created the #EffYourBeautyStandards [1] movement not only to encourage people to love their own bodies, but to move others to embrace all body types as well.

"Everybody deserves to be happy," she told Huffington Post [2], "but for some reason the fact that I happen to be plus-size and happy seems to bother people. It's odd really."

The 29-year-old was turned down for modeling gigs because of her short stature and heavier figure. Her positivity, perseverance, and inspiring viewpoint paid off, and Tess was signed to MiLk Management [3], making her the first plus-size model of her size and height to be signed to a major modeling agency. More and more agencies are embracing women with curves, and Tess is another example of how we can redefine beauty standards in the modeling world [4] to include real women of all shapes, sizes, and ethnicities. Hopefully her beauty — both inside and out — will encourage women worldwide to welcome and love all of the wonderful things about themselves and others.

"Spending my entire vacation in a bikini. Not giving a f*ck. #effyourbeautystandards."

"From my shoot today — I am in awe."

"Today was magical."

"#tessmunster #simplybe #plussizemodel #effyourbeautystandards"

"Darker hair, don't care."

"I hope this makes you realize that it's okay to be yourself, even if you happen to exist in a fat body. I'm sexy, confident and give no f*cks. Also, f*ck anyone for saying otherwise."

"I can finally share my big news!!! I'm now represented by MiLK Management in London. I'm the first plus size model EVER (I die) my size and height to be signed to a major agency!"