Avon’s first transgender rep reveals how ‘the sisterhood’ helped her with her identity
A person holding a transgender pride flag outside the Stonewall Inn at a 2019 rally. (Getty/ AFP/ ANGELA WEISS)
A 35-year-old woman who quit her full-time job to care for her mother has become Avon’s first transgender representative.
Daniella Schofield, from Blackpool, joined Avon in February because she needed to work flexible hours around caring for her mum.
Schofield now manages a team of 21 Avon representatives and says working for the beauty company helped her feel “accepted” as a woman.
“This is the first time in my life that I’ve truly felt accepted, and more importantly, the first time that I’ve ever in my life felt accepted as a woman,” she told the Daily Mail.
“The Avon community is so supportive and encouraging of each other – it’s like being part of an amazing sisterhood,” she said.
“Most girls grow up with a group of girlfriends, sisters, mum etc. to chat to about makeup and learn from, but I’ve never had that.
“I didn’t have teenage years to experiment with make-up so I’m enjoying it now. I’m starting from scratch again in my 30s and there’s a lot of help available through Avon that has helped me on my journey.”
Schofield previously worked as a care-home manager but left her job when her mother, who was diagnosed with schizophrenia 10 years ago, began to need round-the-clock support.
“I needed a way to earn money that could fit around caring for my mum, and Avon provided me with that,” said Schofield, who can earn up to £900 with each campaign. “She’s had schizophrenia for the past ten years and requires full-time care around the clock, and I just couldn’t do that alongside the hours that were required in my previous job.”
Schofield also said her transition was “challenging” and “extremely tough”, adding that it “does get easier”.
“I transitioned through the NHS, and while they were fabulously supportive every step of the way, it isn’t quick by any means,” she said.
‘This country is fabulously diverse,” she said, but added that “there is still a lot that needs to be done to tackle trans issues.”
