In a world filled with unrealistically thin and attractive models, the American perception of beauty has become drastically warped. This impractical standard seems ridiculous to Caitlin Guthoff, a senior in the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and member of Students Advancing Sexual Safety and Empowerment, so Guthoff decided to take action and help organize Love Your Body Day at Syracuse University for the first time. Today and Wednesday, SASSE members will hold signs with phrases like "You look exquisite," "The true you is beautiful" and "Love who you are," and hand out free stickers of compliments to anyone who walks through the Quad.
"It will inevitably warm your soul," said Guthoff. SASSE hopes to make this day an SU tradition and spread awareness for years to come. Love Your Body Day is a national campaign by the National Organization for Women aimed to empower women through positivity. "No more fake images! Show us real women, diverse women, strong women, bold women!," its Web site says.
At the end of the day, if one woman feels better about herself, then the goal of SASSE is reached, said Guthoff, who urges both female and male students to read and spread the message. Healthy Monday is sponsoring the event, proud to advocate healthy behavior and living to SU students. Program Manager Adam Popescu said that from a guy's perspective, men are more drawn to confident, self-loving women than non-confident women. Growing up, Guthoff lacked self-esteem and struggled with an eating disorder. But she began to realize she was trying to change her body. Now boasting confidence, Guthoff said, "We have cellulite. Our bodies are naturally created that way and structured like this. Embrace your body."
But Guthoff is not telling women to rebel and eat hundreds of Twinkies. Rather, women should appreciate themselves and hold their heads up in self-confidence, she said. Participating in Love Your Body Day is only the beginning.
ekim13@syr.edu
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