Operation Beautiful

Encouraging post-it notes have flooded campus in an effort to bring "Operation Beautiful" to Mount Union.

The mission of "Operation Beautiful": To end fat talk among women by encouraging one another and promoting inner beauty. Post-its were recently posted in random places throughout campus with positive and uplifting quotes about being beautiful just the way you are.

College- aged women are currently in a body image crisis perpetuated by unrealistic portrayals by the media of the "perfect body".

The reality is, women pictured in movies, magazines and on runways, are not the norm. In fact, the average model is 5'11 and 117 pounds, while the average American woman is 5'4 and 140 pounds. Women have been socialized into believing that thin is beautiful, and everything else is abnormal.

Many companies however have recently taken initiative in their campaigning to promote being a "real-size" woman. The Dove campaign focuses on embracing true beauty with average size women in their advertisements. Much like Dove's efforts, "Operation Beautiful" is one woman's effort to encourage women in supporting one another.

While breaking the stereotypes and false perceptions about outward beauty is important, it is equally important to focus on how to create inner beauty.

Inner beauty can be achieved when women start encouraging one another and embracing what it means to be real. Women must stand up together in an effort to break the stereotypes, and challenge the media's narrow view of beauty. Sometimes all it takes is telling someone "you're beautiful the way you are."

To learn more about "Operation Beautiful" and the nations body image crisis, attend the self-image seminar "More than Skin Deep" tonight in campus grounds at 7 p.m. All are encouraged and welcome to attend! Free T-shirts will be given out to those who come and participate in raising awareness about this prevalent issue.

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