Iman may be known for gracing the covers of countless magazines and working the catwalk as an international supermodel, but she is much more than just that. Originally from Somalia, Iman and her family fled their home country when revolution broke out in 1969, becoming refugees in Kenya.

On International Women's Day, Iman spoke out about the experience and told Enough Project founder John Prendergast, “…we left, my parents left with one picture of each of us. One picture. We left our families. We left our friends. We left our heritage, culture. So I've always tried to really make people understand what refugees are, you know? Because I am one."

As part of her charity initiatives, Iman is a global Ambassador for Keep a Child Alive, working to raise funds to help African families suffering with HIV/AIDS. She is also an avid supporter of the Enough Project’s “Raise Hope for Congo” campaign, helping to spread awareness about how “conflict minerals” fuel the war in the Congo.

Check out the video to see the entire intimate interview with Iman on how her experience being a refugee affected her and pushed her to be an activist.