MEET CYNTHIA MANION
The daughter of an Air Force Colonel and a homemaker, Cynthia developed her “people skills” at an early age.
Her father’s military obligations dictated that her family continually move while growing up.
Cynthia resided in Europe, East Africa and the Seychelles Islands.
Upon her father’s retirement, the family settled in suburban Washington, D.C.
At age 15, Cynthia began modeling. She was booked into conventions, print ads and onto runways for clients such as Ford Aerospace, Bordens, May Co, Colt 45 and Black Label beers among others. Cynthia recalled, “When I first started out, I modeled as a Hoola girl, cowgirl, footsolder and even an astronaut.
In 1978 she graduated with honors (3.9 grade average) with an Associates degree from Mt. Vernon College, Washington D.C. then decided to further her education when she was admitted into Georgetown University.
When she was 21 her mother died of leukemia and Cynthia decided to leave school to care for her two younger sisters ages 3 and just turned 14 and her 16 year old brother.
As she soon discovered, taking care of a family was not as easy as her mother had made it look, but the challenge helping raise her family contributed significantly to the strength of character.
Several years later when Cynthia’s father remarried she could once again concentrate on her own life.
To establish her independence and to pursue a career in modeling, 23 year old Cynthia moved to New York City with a mattress strapped to the top of her car and $450 in her pocket. She found an apartment for $400 and after assessing her finances, she realized she had less than three weeks to find a job.
With a copy of The Ross Reports in hand (a booklet listing modeling contacts) Cynthia remembers “I went through that book alphabetically and pounded the pavement for 2 1/2 weeks in high heels before landing my first job.”
The Pearl Within You
cynthia@cynthiamanion.com
PO Box 4966 Annapolis, Maryland USA 21403
