Hair fixed, favorite outfit on, coffee in hand — the day has started out fairly well … until you step in front of the mirror.
Ohio University’s Women’s Center has organized a daylong event today geared toward college students, especially women, struggling with body image and self-confidence.
Lauren Romine, a senior studying psychology, and Elizabeth Chinn, a graduate student studying political science, seek to change the media images and campaigns portraying cookie-cutter models of the “perfect” individual
“Many don’t realize this propaganda is not representative of what is natural, normal or healthy,” Romine said in an email.
Love Your Body Day will consist of two separate parts. There will be a tabling session on the first floor of Baker University Center from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. today.
Those who attend this session will be able to sign a pledge vowing to love their bodies and themselves, create Operation Beautiful Post-it notes to inspire others, and learn about the effects of negative body image.
The Women’s Center will provide additional literature with ways for participants to empower themselves.
There will also be a Symposium from 6-8 p.m. in the Women’s Center, located at 403 Baker Center, with Gregory Janson, a professor of family studies. It will be in a panel-discussion format to encourage audience participation.
The panels will cover body image and advertising, eating disorders, and what it means to be healthy at every size.
Olivia Bevin, a freshman studying journalism, said she thinks the event will be important and that she would consider attending.
“The way the media portrays women, it’s good to go and learn that that’s not the way it really is,” she said.
Even though real personal change takes time, Romine said she hopes Love Your Body Day “will present a deeper and healthier perspective of what it means to be truly beautiful, both inside and out.”
“The event will encourage a diversity of thought, that the perfect body isn’t white, thin or even young,” Chinn said.
Romine added that the event will provide a safe and communal environment for individuals to educate themselves while inspiring them to break free from the emotional bonds imprisoning them against negative body image.
“I hope participants will gain a better understanding of their bodies and themselves as well as a newfound confidence and love for who they are.”
WHAT: Love Your Body Day
WHEN: Tabling 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Symposium 6 p.m.
WHERE: Tabling on first floor of Baker University Center; symposium in Women’s Center
ADMISSION: Free
oh994610@ohiou.edu
