Women in modern day America are constantly bombarded with images and messages based on appearances. Looking out at the world from magazine ads, television shows and movies are airbrushed women who fit today’s standards of ‘perfection’. Yet all women are not tall, thin as a rail and blonde. The truth is that women do not have to fit these standards in order to be beautiful.
The Counseling Center at ETSU has devised a program that sets out to prove that a woman should embrace her natural beauty. Its goal is to send this message and raise awareness through Love Your Body Day. Love Your Body Day is Wednesday, Oct. 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This nationally recognized event will take place in the D.P. Culp Center, in the Atrium, as well as at other universities across the country. The event is completely free.
The ETSU Web site describes Love Your Body Day as, “a festival for students to celebrate their natural beauty, get a massage, get relaxation tips and learn more about how advertising companies affect our self-esteem negatively.”
That’s right. Free massages.
In case other reasons were needed to justify going, additional freebies include aromatherapy and spa products as well as tips on staying healthy. There will be booths set up that students can walk through and learn about advertising campaigns and how the image of the false ‘perfect woman’ haunts American culture. It is a way to celebrate women of every size, shape and color and the beauty that each woman has naturally.
“I think it’s very important for women to respect who they are and their image, especially during college years,” said junior Christy Miller, a family and consumer science education major. “We were fearfully and wonderfully made and we need to respect who we are and be proud of ourselves, not just physically but emotionally.”
“It’s really important for women,” said Heather Deyton of the counseling center. “[Love Your Body Day] is going to educate people about the harmful effects of advertising, especially on women. We’re going to emphasize the importance of women celebrating their own uniqueness.”
Though the program is for women, men craving some aromatherapy or a massage are also invited.
“Even though it’s geared towards women anyone is welcome to attend,” Deyton said.
The Counseling Center also offers other events for women. Yoga sessions with the title ‘Take Time Out for You’ will be offered Oct. 31 in the Women’s Resource Center. The Counseling Center also sponsors RAD, a self-defense course geared towards women. Beginning classes are offered in the fall and an advanced course is set up for the spring.
For more information on Love Your Body Day or other resources available to women at ETSU contact the ETSU Counseling Center at 439-4841.

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