A few years after leaving beauty school, Kristin DeHaan and Chrissy Tripodi became teachers themselves — to girls on the other side of the world.

The hairstylists headed to Cambodia, where they taught cosmetology to girls who had been rescued from the sex trade. They gave tips in cutting hair, styling and coloring. Thanks to those new skills, their Cambodian students opened a salon and forged ahead with a new life.

AMY J. CORRENTI | ROCKFORDWOMAN.COM
Kristen DeHaan (left) and Chrissy Tripodi

Today, DeHaan and Tripodi are 25-year-olds who spend their days styling hair at Rockford’s Studio Blu. Their minds, however, aren’t far from Cambodia. Having put human faces to the issue, both remain passionate about the fight against sex trafficking.

Being a woman means …
Kristin: We are honored as women to play so many roles: sister, daughter, mother, wife, grandmother, friend. As women, we have power in these roles because we are giving of ourselves, leading by example, loving selflessly. It is amazing that, through our actions and emotions, we can influence circumstances, attitudes and behavior.

I define success as …
Kristin: Putting your all into something you believe in, something you set out to do and putting all your effort into doing the best at it that you can.

Chrissy: Making the best of the opportunities you create and also the ones you are given.

What I like to do for fun …
Chrissy: I love camping and taking little weekend trips with my hubby. I also love entertaining and having people over for a campfire and s’mores.

Mama always told me …
Kristin: To seek God with my whole heart and to not let my fears or selfish desires keep me from pursuing the amazing journey God has for me.

Chrissy: If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.

My biggest achievement or proudest moment so far …
Kristin: The day I went back to Cambodia and saw the girls’ faces light up as I walked through the door of the salon they opened a year after I had left them. I don’t speak their language, I don’t share their struggles, but they know that I love and care about them. I saw that in their faces that day, and I was so blessed to have been a part of their lives.

One of my major goals is ... 
Kristin: To use my voice and talents to spread the issue of human trafficking and start a business that can help fight this issue.

Chrissy: To help raise awareness and funds for organizations that are fighting sex trafficking.

If you know a promising young woman between ages 16 and 25 who lives in the Rock River Valley, send her name, contact information and a brief description to jpollock@rockfordwoman.com.