Empowering Women
One of the things that I have recently become very passionate about is empowering women. All women regardless of age, race, body type. I have noticed that many women still spend too much time criticizing themselves and what they see as flaws instead of embracing all that they are. Women need to realize that self love is not wrong, self love is not being conceited, and self love is very important to being able to have valuable and meaningful relationships with everyone else in their lives. I believe that teaching women how to love themselves, encouraging them to accept themselves, with all their perceived flaws and faults is key to being able to change the pressure that society puts on women to fit into the tiny box that the media describes as "beautiful".
Currently there are many campaigns directed at changing the way media has traditionally portrayed women as "beautiful" and they are trying to combat the body shaming and negative body imaging that goes along with not being the "ideal" model shaped body. One of my favourite campaigns is called #Effyourbeautystandards by the first plus sized model, Tess Holliday, to get a professional modeling contract. Lane Bryant, a plus size clothing retailer has started a campaign called Plus is Equal, and another one called #ImnoAngel which are also helping to combat the media's narrow views of beauty. The #ImnoAngel campaign specifically is aimed at combatting the idea that Victoria Secrets models are the epitome of beautiful. And Addition Elle, another plus sized fashion retailer opened New York Fashion Week last year. Since I first published this blog for a class there has been a "plus sized" model, Ashley Graham, grace the cover of Maxim magazine and she was on the cover of Sports Illustrated's swimsuit edition as well as other "plus sized" models donning swimsuits and strutting their sexy inside the magazine as well.
On a personal note, I try my best to raise up women. I try to point out their positives, help them to see their perceived negatives as positives and just share my experiences to help. The best advice I got on my journey to self love was "fake it until you make it" which was the best advice I ever got. The other thing that I did that was incredibly helpful in my journey of self love and self acceptance was a photo shoot. I left that experience feeling on top of the world and have carried that feeling with me ever since then. I tell women all the time that they should treat themselves to this experience and they will leave it with a new appreciation for themselves
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