Beutiful Magazine - The Renewal Issue / October 2016

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RENEWAL // FALL 2016

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hello, sweethearts!

Fall is here and the holidays are just a few short weeks away! We hope you had tons of fun during the summer and are preparing to stay warm :)

October is a very special time, as it is Breast Cancer Awareness Month AND Domestic Violence Awareness Month. In this issue,

we’ve put together several articles that will inform you and inspire you to live a life of not only physical, but mental and emotional

health. Domestic violence and breast cancer are two of the leading

causes of death in women. It’s critical that we spread knowledge on these topics, because a life can always be saved.

We hope you enjoy our amazing contributors! It’s our pleasure to

feature such talented individuals, and we always work hard to bring you the most inspiring, body positive info!

In the meantime, send us a message if you’re interested in sharing something with us for future publication!

Questions / Comments?

Feel free to email me at info@beutifulmagazine.com!

P.S. The images in this issue are not our own unless specified.

Our cover image is by photographer Silvana Denker, from her “Body Love” series!

You can read more about Silvana’s work on page 20!

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meet our team!

PATRICIA

AMY

KATHRYN

Living in Philadelphia, background in Graphic Design. Passionate about making a difference.

Graduated UVic majoring in Theatre - a singer, songwriter and musician based in Toronto. She is also a volunteer youth worker at a local shelter.

LAUREN

JAMILA

Resides on Long Island, NY. Bachelor degree in Graphic Design. Loves being a part of the Beutiful movement.

Jamila Choyce is a print and runway plus size model, actress, talk show hostess, journalist and creator of Jamila Jay’s Plus Size Revolution.

MEFTIHE

ERIN

From Melbourne, Australia. BA in Social Sciences, Policy and Research. Passionate about social education and helping to create a media literate world.

Erin Miller is a writer living in New York City and she is passionate about feminism, body acceptance and social issues.

Kathryn has a BA in Sociology & Social Policy. Alongside her work with NPOs, Kate currently operates a Marketing/Branding studio on the west coast of Canada.

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PHOTO CREDIT: HEATHER HAZZAN AND LILY CUMMINGS #IAMALLWOMAN

connect with us! join our private facebook group!

Get involved in our all-women body image group! Connect with and support other women while learning how to deepen your appreciation for your body and put body acceptance in motion.

CLICK TO JOIN!

join our revolution!

Over the years, we’ve launched several bodypositive, self esteem campaigns for both men and women. With the launch of our new website, we are proudly sharing the stories of our biggest supporters - you guys! Visit our website or use the hashtag #GoBeUtiful to keep up with our latest body-positive movements, or get involved by submitting your own story and picture!

#GOBEUTIFUL

PHOTO CREDIT: HEATHER HAZZAN AND LILY CUMMINGS #IAMALLWOMAN

support healthy media!

91% of women don’t like their bodies.

We think it’s time that this number changed.

We are dedicated to creating healthy, empowering, body-positive material for women and girls to consume. You can help us continue our mission by purchasing a copy of this magazine or by making a donation! We greatly appreciate your help and support.

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PHOTO CREDIT: HEATHER HAZZAN AND LILY CUMMINGS #IAMALLWOMAN

what’s inside...

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Bodyposipanda

An interview with body positive feminist Megan Crabbe

An Inside Look At Male Body Image

By Erin Miller

Spreading Breast Cancer Awareness

By Lauren Jesus

No More Violence: Surviving The Red Zone

By Jamila Choyce

New Face Of Feminism

By Kathryn Thom

Reiki + Healing

An interview with Reiki healer and model Wendy Both

The Power Of Change: Bad Vibes To Good Vibes

By Amy Kirkpatrick

Plus Size Couture

An interview with Babydoll Beauty Couture owner Jamie Lopez

Breast Cancer: Beyond Pink Ribbons

By Erin Miller

Domestic Violence: A Global Perspective

By Jamila Choyce

BODYPOSIPANDA

An interview with body positive feminist Megan Crabbe

Megan Crabbe, better known as @Bodyposipanda on Instagram, is a recovered anorexic who found her calling inspiring and teaching other women to love their bodies. As a body positive advocate, Megan’s messages reach hundreds of thousands of people each day as she shows that recovery and self-love are not only attainable, but realistic things everyone can achieve. We’re so happy to share her wisdom!

Tell us about yourself!

Hey! My name is Megan Crabbe, I’m 23 years old and I run the body positive Instagram account bodyposipanda. When I’m not spreading the body positive message I’m mainly hanging out with my dogs (team dogs are better than humans), reading, eating cheese, or spending evenings watching terrible TV with my boyfriend Ben.

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What was your journey through an eating disorder to body acceptance like?

My body image issues started when I was 5 years old thinking that I was so much bigger than all of the other girls in my class. I was dieting by the age of 10 and at 14 I was diagnosed with Anorexia Nervosa.

It took me two years, one summer in a residential psychiatric unit, one hospitalisation with tube feeding, and a whole lot of mental torture before I clawed my way out of anorexia.

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Bodyposipanda, cont’d

At my lowest point I saw my dad cry for the first time ever, that was when I knew that I had to get out.

I got angry at all the time my eating disorder had stolen from me, all the time I should have been growing up and living, all the pain it had caused over that time, and that rage is what allowed me to take the first bite, and keep going.

What was the hardest part of recovery?

The hardest part of recovery is how little people still understand about eating disorders. With restrictive EDs that involve extreme weight loss (not all do), people assume that as soon as you’re weight restored, you’re all better. That couldn’t be further from the truth. As soon as I wasn’t underweight anymore I was signed off, pronounced recovered, everyone pretended nothing had happened at all and I was left to battle all the demons I still had on my own.

Honestly, I didn’t feel truly recovered until I found body positivity at 21, 5 years after my recovery started. Body positivity is the only thing that finally allowed me to make peace with my body, and to understand why I, and all of us, feel the way we do about our bodies.

Before I found bopo I was still constantly crash dieting to the point of starvation, binging, exercising obsessively and hating my body more and more each day. Body positivity truly saved my life, and showed me that I could finally heal, and finally recover.

the body positive message is reaching more people every day and that I can be a part of that. The best part about the community is the support - whether you come to it from an ED recovery standpoint, a fat acceptance standpoint or anything else, you will find so much support and encouragement to just be unapologetically yourself. We provide a little bit of an antidote to all the toxic social media pages out there, a safe place you can go and actually feel good about yourself, and I think that’s amazing.

We still need to work at being more inclusive and more intersectional, body positivity shouldn’t just be about straight, white, able-bodied women with conventionally attractive features. It should be about all shapes and sizes, all ages, all skin colours, all genders and all abilities.

Curvy Kate’s #thenewsexy campaign that I was a part of a little while ago was brilliant because it featured plus size models, a transgender model, an amputee model, a model with alopecia and an ED survivor (yours truly), and while it still needed more diversity in terms of size and skin colour, it was unlike any lingerie campaign I’d ever seen before.

What’s the one thing you’d like women who are struggling with body acceptance to know?

The one thing I’d like women to know who are struggling with their body image is that it’s not their fault that they feel the way they do. None of us came into the world hating our bodies, it’s something we’ve learned from the culture around us and it’s something we can unlearn, too.

We live in a world that profits from our insecurities and teaches us that we’re never good enough, and we deserve better than that, all of us. So when you decide that enough’s enough, and that you don’t want to spend any more time at war with your body, come and find the body positive community. You are always welcome here, and you are always good enough.

How did the body positive movement help?

When I found the body positive community on Instagram I instantly knew that I’d stumbled across something magical. I suddenly knew what I wanted to do with my life, and that was spread the word. Let as many people as possible know that they don’t have to live their lives at war with their bodies, so that’s why I started @bodyposipanda. I’m so thankful that

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Megan Crabbe is a feminist, an advocate of body positivity and living proof that recovery from eating disorders is possible.

Megan spreads her inspiring message on social media, through her Instagram @Bodyposipanda. For more, you can also check out her website and Facebook page!

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AN INSIDE LOOK AT MALE BODY IMAGE

By Erin Miller, Beutiful

One of the things that I’ve noticed, especially since I began writing for Beutiful Magazine, is that most discussions of body image seem to focus on the issues that women face, to the exclusion of men. I don’t know why that is unless publications assume men would not be interested in such articles, but I don’t think that is truly the case.

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Women’s magazines, along with talk shows like Ellen and Oprah, have many articles in which women share their experiences with various issues.

Publications geared toward men seem to be more about either hobbies or sexual prowess, along with articles about how to look like the hero of the latest Marvel movie with tips from their personal trainers.

In order to find the answers to some of these questions, Patti and I designed a short online survey to ask any man who wanted to reply to share with our readers some of the things he worried about. We had about thirty respondents who ran the gamut of all possible answers. The survey was anonymous, so we know nothing about the men who took part.

It makes me wonder what men think about body image issues, whether they suffer the same things we do or whether they, as the so-called “majority” gender, feel secure in the power they hold in society and are not troubled by damaging stereotypes.

The first of ten questions was, “Do you think you’re attractive to others?” Fifty-three percent said “yes,” and 46 percent said “no.”

The second question asked, “What makes men attractive? What are men ‘supposed’ to look like?”

The answer we received most often mentioned that men should be tall, well-muscled, and have a large package; however, another common response stated that men should be confident.

One answer that stood out to me was that although the respondent felt that women’s attraction to men often had more to do with men’s personality than their physical appearance, he felt it was hard for him to feel attractive without having a six-pack.

The third question asked men to rate how happy they were with their appearance on a scale from 1 to 5. Surprisingly, most men gave themselves a 4.5. However, our fourth question, “Have you ever been bullied about your weight/ appearance before?

If so, how has this affected you?” generated some interesting responses.

Most respondents (22 out of 30) answered yes, and though a few refused to elaborate on their answer, most gave us more specifics. It seems that men were bullied most often when they were younger about being too thin or overweight, which has led them to have lower self-esteem and confidence as adults, though many have said they have managed to overcome some of these feelings as they’ve aged. A few mentioned that these taunts led them to exercise and gain muscle mass to improve the way they felt about their bodies.

Our fifth question, “If you could tell women, men, and society at large one thing that they are wrong about regarding what men should look like, what would it be?” seemed to throw our respondents into confusion with most mentioning that they weren’t sure. A few added that height and penis length were not choices, while others wanted us to know that what’s inside is more important than how they look.

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That response was especially telling to me because it seemed that this man, though he knew he was attractive to women, did not measure his attractiveness by who was attracted to him. He measured his attractiveness by media portrayals of men with sixpacks and found himself coming up short.

I’ve noticed this propensity in women as well. No matter how attractive we may be to others, we cannot let go of the media’s constant barrage of images showing us the “ideal” woman, which is not us.

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An Inside Look At Male Body Image, cont’d

Our respondents were more definite in their responses to question six: “What do you think about the idea of masculinity? Do you feel that the way it is portrayed by society puts uncomfortable pressure on men?” A vast majority of respondents felt that society’s presentation of masculinity did put pressure on them to act a certain way, mostly because the men they know self-regulate stereotypical behavior. Men are encouraged to objectify women, be sexually virile, and experience financial success. They are discouraged from being seen as feminine or gay. One respondent pointed out, however, that though men are encouraged to conform to traditional masculine behavior, society does not seem to prize that behavior, denigrating men who act that way.

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Question nine, “Do you feel supported by your friends or peers when you struggle with body image?” found 73 percent of respondents saying “yes,” and 26 percent saying “no.”

Our last question asked what our respondents thought the biggest pressure they faced was. In general, many of them stated that living up to traditionally male roles and looking a certain way were what they noticed most often caused them to feel pressured to change themselves, though many of them reacted to different aspects of those cultural roles.

Our respondents were split on the next question, “Have you ever felt shamed or ridiculed when talking about being uncomfortable with your body?” with 43 percent saying “yes” and 56 percent saying “no.”

Some said being successful caused them the most stress, while others said attracting a partner or being strong and silent were most important. Some mentioned that they felt societal pressure created a duality of personalities within them. They felt they had to act more feminine when they interacted with women and more masculine when they interacted with other men.

Our eighth question asked men what anxieties they had about getting older. Most responded that they feared gaining weight and losing their hair, while a few added that they did not want to lose their mental faculties or sexual virility.

What I gleaned from this short survey was that men, like women, suffer from the effects of society’s seeming determination to homogenize the population into two distinct genders with associated behaviors. Though men are seen to be the gender

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in control by some, many do not live up to the ideal and fall short of looking or acting the way they “should.”

Like women, men self-regulate, bullying each other and themselves when they fall short of the ideal, and as a result, they suffer from insecurities about their bodies and personalities.

Though the “ideal” man does not share many attributes with the “ideal” woman, his existence is still damaging. Men are “supposed to” be tall and muscular, and they are “supposed to” be strongwilled, emotionless, sexually virile, and financially stable.

The crux of the matter is that there may be some men who fit that description, but there are many

definitions and characteristics of masculinity. Like women, men should not be stereotyped and made to feel that they are not enough if they do not live up to this image, but societal pressure does not make this easy for them.

The fact remains that no one benefits from genderspecific stereotypes, save companies who make products to play on the population’s insecurities.

We need to abandon these outmoded ways of thinking and create a new ideal that embraces all people for who they are instead of trying to force them to be something they can never be.

Erin Miller is a writer living in New York City, and passionate about feminism and social issues. She is currently working on several novels and is interested in creating diverse and complex characters.

If you’d like to get in touch with Erin, you can email her here!

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SPREADING BREAST CANCER AWARENESS

By Lauren Jesus, Beutiful

Each year when October rolls around we break out the pink ribbons and honor those who are battling breast cancer or the ones who have lost their lives to such a terrible disease. While it’s wonderful that we dedicate a month of awareness to a disease that will affect 1 in 8 women during their lifetime, I think it’s safe to say many of us stop thinking about our breasts and their health when October is over. We rarely discuss the importance of early detection and the importance of self examination and mammograms.

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My own mother is one of the many women who are afraid to have her yearly mammogram. The fact that she continues to put it off, even when a malignant lump was discovered and removed, boggles my mind.

The last time we had a public discussion about early detection and testing for breast cancer was when Angelina Jolie came forward about her own struggles with the disease and the loss of her mother to the disease.

The article Jolie wrote about breast cancer, which was published in 2013, detailed her decision in having a double mastectomy. After the loss of her mother to cancer, Jolie chose to get a DNA test which showed she had a mutated strain of a gene. The BRCA-1 and BRCA-2 testing, which shows the mutated gene costs between $474 to about $4,000 - a cost that for most women is out of their budget.

Jolie was told by doctors that she had an 87% chance of developing breast cancer and with that discovery she made the difficult decision of having a double mastectomy. The process took a long three months and after Jolie recovered she was determined to share her story with other women, encouraging them to get tested early and to take their family medical history into account. According to BreastCancer.org, in 2015 about 40,450 women in the United States will have lost the battle with breast cancer. While the number of lives lost have gone down since the 1980’s thanks to early detection, breast cancer is still considered the number 1 cause of death in women. The statistics also reveal that breast cancer is higher among those women who are under 45 years of age and are African American.

The importance of early detection and yearly mammograms are literally life saving and increase the chance of survival if you are diagnosed.

Her journey lasted about a year. For her it was a long year once the surgeries and the chemotherapy began.

She had a couple of surgeries to remove cancerous tissue from her breast and her armpit where it had spread. Then she had another surgery to remove some more cancerous tissue. That was frightening because it seemed like it had come back or spread once it had been removed. Luckily it hadn’t - they just had missed some.

She began her chemotherapy shortly after the surgery.

She began to waste away and was extremely lethargic.

But even through the entire process she was still upbeat and positive.

Once she was declared cancer free she began to fall apart emotionally. She was constantly afraid that the cancer was going to come back.

While everyone handles things differently, I think that’s the one part of recovery that people don’t talk about - the aftermath. How do you deal with becoming cancer free after such a long battle with such a scary disease, one that kills people in such large numbers?

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I’ve shared before that my mother-in-law was diagnosed with breast cancer 2 years ago. She was lucky enough to have been diagnosed early and to receive the best treatment possible. She had stage 1 breast cancer and because of her age, the battle was a little difficult at times.

was incredibly positive in the early stages after being diagnosed. She would keep reassuring my husband and I that cancer was just a scary word and that she would get through it.

Early on, she made the brave decision to shave her head because she couldn’t stand the sight of her hair falling out. She bought fun colored wigs and

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Spreading Breast Cancer Awareness, cont’d

My mother-in-law sought out a therapist that dealt specifically with people who had/have cancer. The therapist helped my mother-in-law to deal with her fear and anxiety of the cancer returning. This December will mark my mother-in-law’s 1 year cancer free mark.

As it stands right now, a woman’s most affordable option is a mammogram and self breast exam.

If you find a lump while examining yourself, you should schedule an appointment with either your gynecologist or primary care doctor.

If you are diagnosed with breast cancer or feel like you aren’t being taken seriously by your doctor, get a second opinion and all of the information you can about different types of treatment. Make the best choice for you when it comes to treatment and consider therapy as part of your recovery.

Treatment isn’t only about the physical well being but also about the mental well being.

Most importantly, remember that breasts are just balls of fat and tissue and having them removed makes you no less of a woman.

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For myself, my mother-in-law’s journey has instilled in me the importance of early detection. Hopefully one day the BRCA-1 and BRCA-2 gene test will become affordable for women or at least covered by insurance.

Lauren Jesus lives on Long Island, New York. She graduated from The Art Institute of Pittsburgh with a BA in Graphic Design.

Part of the Beutiful team, Lauren also creates artwork and freelances. You can see her work at www.laurenjohnsondesigns.com! You can also read more about Lauren here!

#GlobalBodyLove You may remember her breathtaking photos from one of our previous issues, but photographer Silvana Denker is at it again, spreading body positivity and diversity across the globe!

Recently, Silvana traveled to Los Angeles and New York City to expand her “Body Love” series, which she began in Europe and is now working to spread all over the world. It wasn’t too long ago that Silvana said: “My biggest dream for this campaign is to make it big and international. How great would it be to see eight gorgeous women walking along Times Square?”

From the looks of her most recent photoshoot in New York City, she’s already completed her goal. Soon, she hopes to have her next location in the United States set in Las Vegas!

You can learn more about Body Love here!

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PHOTO CREDIT: SILVANA DENKER

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PHOTO CREDIT: SILVANA DENKER

PHOTO CREDIT: SILVANA DENKER

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PHOTO CREDIT: SILVANA DENKER

PHOTO CREDIT: SILVANA DENKER

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NO MORE VIOLENCE:

SURVIVING THE RED ZONE

By Jamila Choyce, Beutiful

For many teens that graduate high school, moving on means attending a community college, or state university. It is an essential milestone on the road to adulthood. This transition often includes increased independence, new opportunities for personal and social exploration, as well as academic and intellectual development. However, with these burgeoning prospects for positive growth, there comes the increased potential for experiencing negative consequences that may result from issues such as financial and academic-related stress, social isolation, substance abuse, and damaging personal relationships.

Surviving the red zone: sexual assault and domestic violence on freshman female students It is essential to focus on two key aspects which are impacting college students all over the country: alcohol consumption and attitudes/behaviors surrounding sexual assault. My daughter has just completed her first month as a first-time freshman in college. My overwhelming concerns for her are her well-being, health, and safety which seems to be part of the norm for parents.

After checking her into her dorm, opening her first bank account, shopping for laundry baskets and containers for clothes, it was time say our good-byes.

“It is time to grow up. This is what you wanted.” Yes, it was a difficult transition and I had to let her go.

She did all the work to get there: preparing for and completing the SAT, completing college applications, meeting with admission counselors, track and field coaches, writing her personal statement and biography, and seeking scholarships and financial aid opportunities. It is difficult to fathom that my baby is a first-time freshman. I still want to protect her.

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Now the only way to do that is with information and knowledge, so that the college transition will not become a nightmare. I cringe as I study the statistics of freshman females who become prey to rape and sexual assault and enter the “red zone.” You may ask yourself, how can I prepare my daughter for surviving in the “red zone?”

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The first six weeks of college are considered a “red zone” for incoming freshmen when it comes to rape.

According to officials at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, the first month and a half of college is the time when freshmen women are most likely to be raped or experience attempted rape.

Rapes do occur frequently on and around college campuses.

In fact, one in four college students report being raped. During her freshman year of college, a woman

has a 1 in 10 chance of being forcibly sexually assaulted or raped, and a 1 in 7 chance of being assaulted or raped while incapacitated by drugs or alcohol, according to the findings of a new survey from one U.S. college campus.

According to Nomore.org, together we can end sexual and domestic abuse. The website says, “Did you know that students, especially young women, are at the highest risk of sexual assault during the first few months of college? This “red zone” - roughly from the beginning of the school year until Thanksgiving break – is dangerous for many new freshmen that are not yet aware of the resources available to survivors or the options they have in reporting sexual assault.”

Research shows that young people are disproportionately impacted by partner violence, with more than 1 in 5 women and nearly 1 in 7 men experiencing some form of intimate partner violence between 11 and 17 years of age (CDC, 2011).

When dealing with issues that directly affect their lives, it only makes sense that young people are meaningfully included in the planning and implementation of solutions. Teens, therefore, are best positioned to inform adults about the abuse that is impacting their lives and about effective strategies

for promoting healthy relationships.

Substance abuse and rape on college campus Parents must face the reality that America’s college campuses are home to massive drinking and partying scenes where many teenagers experiment with marijuana. The glamorization of marijuana and alcohol has been a popular gateway drug for many teens.

National surveys find that about two in five U.S. undergraduates engage in heavy drinking, which is typically defined as having five or more. Needless to say, drinking and drugs do not mix with books and studying. Many female students are targeted when they are highly intoxicated and incoherent.

My wish and prayer is that my daughter has enough common sense not to be a statistic. As a parent, or guardian, it is never too late to have a conservation with your teen. Although most nation’s colleges and universities are back in session, and the topic is addressed during orientation at most colleges, now is the perfect time to get informed and start raising awareness about sexual assault and domestic violence on college campuses.

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No More Violence: Surviving The Red Zone, cont’d

Survival tips: What to do in the event of rape?

Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network

Tips and information given to students during orientation instructs them to stay in groups, be aware of their surroundings, and watch their alcohol intake - a factor that affects both the victim and the perpetrator in most college rapes.

The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) is the nation’s largest anti-sexual assault organization.

Among its programs, RAINN created and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1.800.656.HOPE and the National Sexual Assault Online Hotline at ingrain.

This nationwide partnership of more than 1,100 local rape crisis centers provides victims of sexual assault with free, confidential services, 24 hours per day, and 7 days per week. These hotlines have helped over 1.3 million people since RAINN’s founding in 1994.

In the case of a rape, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention instructs victims to avoid taking a shower or brushing his or her teeth.

That goes against most victims’ first instincts, but it’s the only way to preserve evidence and have a chance of putting the attacker behind bars.

The next step, after getting to a safe place, is to call for help.

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Jamila Choyce is a print and runway plus size model, actress, talk show hostess, journalist and creator of Jamila Jay’s Plus Size Revolution.

You can visit her website or follow her on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube or Tumblr!

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THE NEW FACE

OF FEMINISM

By Kathryn Thom, Beutiful

I am a woman, and I believe in the beauty of women. I believe in our strength and our softness; in our vigilance and our flexibility. I believe in our brilliance, our drive, and the immensity of our spirits.

I believe in our kindness, but I also believe in the importance of being a bad ass bitch.

I live in Ayn Rand’s mind but I exist inside Anais Nin’s heart. I am a woman, and I believe in feminism. I do not, however, believe in the labels that have been forced upon feminists over time and out of ignorance, fear or misunderstanding.

The fight for gender equality has been one hell of a hard fought battle. Generations of women have risked their reputations, jobs, families and even their health and safety to fight against a deeply ingrained prejudice that plagued Western society for centuries.

We are now entering into an era where systematic gender inequality has largely been eradicated in the West, and young women are free to grow up with more opportunities and less restrictions than ever before. Unfortunately, however, it’s too early to celebrate.

The truth is that gender inequality still exists in our Western world. It’s there when men talk over women in conversations and belittle their opinions on life, politics or world matters. It’s there when men feel the right to pass judgment on a woman’s life choices and sexual preferences. It’s there when a male boss laughs at his female staff and doesn’t take them seriously. It’s there when GHB is dropped in a young girl’s drink at the bar, and it’s there when 1 in 4 women endures a sexual assault within her lifetime.

It’s there, but it’s so subtle and normalized that it’s almost invisible.

It’s one thing to ban together and fight against large scale concrete inequality, but another thing entirely to fight against abstract inequality that exists at the individual level. The challenges that feminists face today are unlike any seen before, and so too should be our strategies. Those hard fought tactics that worked for us in the past will no longer be effective in this new era; it’s time to redefine what it means to be a modern feminist.

1. The Modern Feminist Loves Men When I was growing up in the 80’s the term ‘feminist’ was a dirty word. It conjured imagery of impossible husky women who were as angry as they were hairy, and who lived on nothing more than irrational rage and the blood of men. It wasn’t until I grew up and became educated on the feminist movement that I began to proudly identify as a feminist.

As modern feminists, we have the opportunity to dispel the myth that we hate men. Because we don’t hate men - we actually really love men. We love

As proud feminists, we celebrate and support men for their bravery and willingness to stand up against social pressures. The modern feminist loves men (so you can come out from under the covers because we really aren’t all that scary… or hairy).

2. The Modern Feminist Celebrates Differences In order to reach equality, the women’s rights movement first had to prove that women and men were equal. This means that many of feminism’s earlier strategies sought to chip away at the notion that men and women were different. Essentially, we set out to reach equality by positioning ourselves in relation to men and as being capable of fulfilling the same roles in society as men. However, this was only half of the battle and it’s time to strive for the next phase of gender equality.

When it comes to things like child rearing, intellectual capacity and professional acumen, women and men are both equally competent. However, we differ in the way that we achieve these aims. Men and women are different physically, chemically and

mentally. Differences vary between individuals, and it is challenging to separate out those behaviours that have been ingrained through socialization from those that are innate, but for the most part we can generally agree that men and women function differently.

The key here is that difference shouldn’t equate to value. Historically, only those traits that fell within the ‘masculine’ category have been valued and associated with success (aggression, competitiveness, and apathy for example). This means that powerful social roles were constructed around a ‘masculine’ standard of conduct, and fashioned in the image of the stereotypical male. Not only does this require females to contort themselves into ill-fitting social roles, but also to fight against the double standard that chastises a woman for acting ‘masculine’.

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those men that choose to take paternity leave and act as partners in domestic duties. We love those men who are becoming self identified feminists and who engage in political debates on our behalf at parties and in the work place. We love those men that treat us with respect in relationships and who value our feelings and opinions.

The truth is that true power and competence is not defined in gender specific traits (innate or learned). To be powerful is to be self-aware, driven and balanced; to be competent is to be intuitive and able to respond to situations calmly and rationally.

The New Face Of Feminism, cont’d

These characteristics can be cultivated within any individual, and will vary according to age, culture and situation.

The modern feminist denounces the idea that there is only one method of achieving success and does not attempt to fit herself into pre-defined roles. Instead, she acknowledges her differences, promotes her unique strengths, and capitalizes on them in order to succeed (read: yasss queen).

3. The Modern Feminist is No Victim A victim is someone who blames external circumstances for their plight, and who takes very little accountability for rectifying their circumstances.

A victim points fingers and redirects blame. When one accepts the label of a victim, they accept a passive role in which things have happened to them.

In the fight for change and gender equality, feminists initially had to point fingers in order to highlight inequalities and demand change. This was a pivotal

step in dismantling prejudice laws and unequal cultural standards. However, in modern western society gender inequality is not a standard for all women and is instead experienced at the individual level. Inequalities do exist, but there are very few concrete laws or cultural standards that can be blamed for them.

This is why the modern feminist denounces the label of a victim and instead takes personal accountability for our circumstances. Contrary to ignorant belief we don’t sit around angrily blaming men for society’s malaise, but instead take the initiative to seek out equality and fight for our personal security, goals and desires. Feminists have always fought hard if the odds were stacked against them, and the modern feminist is no different.

4. The Modern Feminist Advocates Daily The days when women could ban together, picket signs in hand, and effectively raise public awareness are pretty much over for the Western world. It’s one

The modern feminist addresses problems as we encounter them. We don’t stand for inequality in the work place, in public or at home: we don’t wait for change, we create it. We advocate for our own rights in the line up at the grocery store, in meetings at the office and when negotiating domestic duties on the home front. In lieu of an organized group, the modern feminist is willing and able to fight on our own alongside likeminded comrades.

5. The Modern Feminist is a Skilled Self Developer One of the biggest obstacles in fighting against social norms is that it’s difficult to break through them at the interpersonal level. Women are socialized to fit in, to appease others and to make social situations comfortable. The thought of standing up for oneself and making a social environment uncomfortable can be a challenging prospect for even the toughest of ladies. However, the modern feminist is aware of this achilles heel and consciously works to eradicate it.

In any journey of self development there is an adjustment period where we try out new skills, and

practice though trial and error until we have mastered our shiny new personality traits. The period of trial and error is awkward and uncomfortable, and it requires ample amounts of bravery and perseverance.

As modern feminists we accept this personal challenge and fight against our social programming by teaching ourselves to be comfortable with making situations uncomfortable.

We learn how to deal with prejudice, and how to address it quickly and effectively. Shutting down an unwanted sexual advance or misogynistic/abusive comment is usually not a big deal, and can be easily achieved with tact, class and a little bit of wit (what good is being a bad ass if you can’t have a little fun with it?) The modern feminist does not fear breaking social protocol - we stand up for ourselves and the women around us.

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thing to fight against a visibly corrupt legal system, but quite another to fight against an enemy as insidious as socialization. Gender inequality is often so hidden and subtle that the majority of our public doesn’t truly accept that it exists. Which is why the modern feminist fights for change at the interpersonal level.

”How wrong is it for a woman to expect the man to build the world she wants, rather than to create it herself.” - Anais Nin

Kate completed her BA in Sociology & Social Policy at the University of Victoria and the University of Leeds. She has been working in marketing and business development for the past ten years, alongside her work with NPOs. Kate currently operates a Marketing/ Branding studio on the west coast of Canada.

#RawBeauty The Raw Beauty Project is an innovative traveling photography exhibit celebrating women with disabilities. It advocates for inclusion and inspires all to embrace their beauty, own their power, and live their passion. Last month, over 200 people crowded into Paul Mitchell: the School in Pasadena for a one-night benefit showing of The Raw Beauty Project: LA. The show was hosted by Angela Rockwood, along with Raw Beauty Project co-founder Dr. Susan Solman, and featured more than 25 amazing models who proudly displayed their disabilities. Organizer and subject Angela Rockwood said, “This means so much to my heart and soul because when you are positioned in a situation that’s catastrophic it means you have to rise above it and push the limits. The theme for this year’s Raw Beauty Project in Los Angeles is all about power, beauty and passion and this is definitely three elements that all of these women (models) have.”

Among the passionate attendees was award-winning independent filmmaker Patricia Perez, who is working on a documentary about the project. Perez says, “I happened to see an article about the New York exhibit and I immediately felt the connection.

I wanted to make a film documenting this incredible project further and extend the awe-inspiring magic of it; to bring its message of strength and empowerment to women; past the walls of the exhibit rooms and make it available everywhere.”

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PHOTO CREDIT: JEANEEN LUND MODEL: APRYL BROWN

RAW BEAUTY MODEL IN FRONT OF HER PHOTO

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PHOTO CREDIT: DARYL HENDERSON MODEL: TAMERA MENA

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ANGELA ROCKWOOD (RIGHT) SPEAKS TO GUESTS

RAW BEAUTY MODEL (LEFT) WITH PHOTOGRAPHER (RIGHT)

PHOTO CREDIT: ADAM MOCO

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RAW BEAUTY EVENT

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RAW BEAUTY MODEL IN FRONT OF HER PHOTO

PHOTO CREDIT: GINNY DIXON MODEL: ILEANA RODRIGUEZ

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REIKI + HEALING

An interview with Reiki healer + model Wendy Both

Wendy Both is a Reiki master, intuitive healer, model and the owner of Reiki Heals. Throughout her career, Wendy has traveled all over the world and created a unique practice where she not only treats the humans she comes in contact with, but the animals as well! We’re excited to share Wendy’s extensive wisdom and philosophy on health and wellness with you!

Tell us about yourself!

I was raised in a small town in Holland, to an Indonesian/Indian Father and a Dutch mother. I moved to Miami to pursue modeling at the age of 16 after appearing and making it to the finals on a National Modeling competition on TV. I am so fortunate to have worked with so many top photographers such as Patrick Demarchelier, Steven Meisel, and Fabrizio Gianni. I have appeared in campaigns such as Guess, Victoria’s Secret and Corneliani and graced the covers of magazines all over the world. After living in Miami, my modeling career took me to New York and eventually landed me in Los Angeles, which I now call home.

Throughout the course of my career, I traveled the world and was exposed to many cultures, ethnicities and religions and developed a love for exploring the world. I intend to continue seeking new and exciting experiences.

Before my modeling career, I had my eye on being a search-and-rescue helicopter pilot and after watching Top Gun, being a fighter pilot was added to the list.

At a young age I had a fascination for cars and to this day I absolutely love to be behind the wheel of a car; it’s like an active meditation for me. There is a certain appeal and freedom to being in this masculine space and taking control of my own destination so to speak.

Over the years I developed a love for motocross and to this day still ride, I have jumped out of planes and I love to ride horses. I guess you could say I have a fascination with fast moving things/vehicles; I crave speed and am a bit of an adrenaline junkie!

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How did you first become interested in Reiki?

What made you want to be a healer?

I have always been interested in natural healing techniques to help in various areas throughout my life. My Indonesian grandmother introduced me to her psychic abilities and medium-ship at a young age, both of which have always fascinated me.

I discovered Reiki while having a conversation with a stranger in a metaphysical store. I had never heard of Reiki before but when she explained the magic and healing power of this vibrational energy medicine, I was instantly drawn to it and wanted to explore it further. Shortly after, I took my first class and started my formal Reiki Training. It wasn’t long before it became clear to me that being a healer was the path I wanted to take.

The other abilities such as medium-ship and animal communication surfaced gradually as I became more immersed in the world of energy healing.

How has Reiki impacted not only your life but the lives of others?

Becoming a Reiki Master has put me in touch with my true self and helps me live a more authentic and loving life. It opened a door and showed me a way where I am able to help people and animals in a way that feels very fulfilling to me.

Reiki can greatly reduce stress and create a feeling of inner peace and harmony, which triggers the body’s natural healing abilities to improve and

PHOTOGRAPHER: VIKA PETLAKH MAKE UP AND HAIR: TALYA BOZ STYLING: MARY BRENNAN

PHOTOGRAPHER: VIKA PETLAKH MAKE UP AND HAIR: TALYA BOZ STYLING: MARY BRENNAN

PHOTOGRAPHER: VIKA PETLAKH MAKE UP AND HAIR: TALYA BOZ STYLING: MARY BRENNAN

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Reiki + Healing, cont’d

maintain health. Having a calmer and more peaceful state of mind helps increase mental clarity, enhances learning, and helps alleviate the mood swings that come from fear, frustration and anger.

The list of reasons people call for help with Reiki and intuitive counseling is endless. For example, I have treated postpartum depression, end of life transition, cancer patients. In addition to my Reiki and intuitive guidance services, I act as a life coach to many such as entrepreneurs, recovering addicts, and people going through relationship difficulties by offering tools and intuitive guidance. A majority of my clients are in a state of emotional distress and release stress hormones that act in the brain much like addictive drugs where people develop literal addictions to states such as anxiety, hurt, regret, and self-pity.

I recently performed a divorce ceremony followed by a Reiki session for a couple I’ve been treating that wanted their parting to be an act of love. It was very touching and beautiful and I was so honored. I absolutely love what I do and I am open to whatever client/situation the universe throws at me.

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PHOTOGRAPHER: VIKA PETLAKH MAKE UP AND HAIR: TALYA BOZ STYLING: MARY BRENNAN

You have a career in modeling. How has that complimented your work in healing?

My modeling career gave me an opportunity to travel all over the world and experience many different cultures, people and their struggles. My gift as an empath guided me towards people and situations where help was needed, therefore modeling gave me a platform to speak about Reiki and be able to reach a wide group of people to offer my healing and intuitive counseling to.

I am so grateful to be able to continue both professions and appear in articles/magazines as both a model and a healer.

Has being a model impacted the way you feel about yourself?

My years of modeling and its superficial validation made me yearn for deep meaningful soul connections that go beyond the physical. It’s about soulful love between people who come together with the intention of being the best they can be and inspire each other

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lived mostly in hotel rooms eating whatever was available. I remember one day I think I was 17 years old and had gained a bit of weight. As I was walking on the beach in a bathing suit in Miami, a client who had booked me for a job that next week spotted me.

She suspected I had gained a little weight and called me in for a fitting to make sure I would fit the clothes.

Needless to say I lost the job. This experience brought on such insecurity and made me feel bad about my body. I started looking for ways to figure out how to eat right and lose weight. I became an expert at how to dress myself hiding what the industry saw as flaws. Most of my life as a model I have gone up and down in my weight and I have never been really satisfied with it.

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PHOTOGRAPHER: VIKA PETLAKH MAKE UP AND HAIR: TALYA BOZ STYLING: MARY BRENNAN

to grow individually which creates collective growth.

The soul never dies. It only evolves.

There’s a quote that I love that speaks to this…”If only our eyes saw souls instead of bodies, how very different our ideals of beauty would be.” The relationships that I’ve cherished the most are the ones that allow me to feel completely comfortable being myself and who appreciate me most when I am au natural!

Have you ever struggled with accepting your body or doubting yourself?

I started modeling when I was 16 years old and had a very hard time staying at the desired modeling weight the industry required me to be. I traveled so much and

This experience was a powerful awakening and was needed for me to stand behind my purpose in life in helping others with their body image and shift their perspective as I have done for myself. I am so grateful to be able to be a catalyst for change coming from an authentic place. I have stepped away from hiding behind a fabricated version of myself and no longer put actions behind my fears and insecurities.

The only validation I need is from me.

What do you think could be improved in the modeling industry as far as how women are perceived and treated?

The fashion industry is changing more and more each day by adapting to real life models in different sizes, shapes and ages and it’s so refreshing. While runways were once decorated with super skinny models, now we can see some realistic women strutting their stuff! I would love to continue seeing that evolve.

This is why I love being represented by IconicFocus in New York who represents models at any age who people can identify themselves with. It is the perfect balance for me.

What kind of holistic services would you recommend to someone that is struggling with self love or body image?

I would start by looking at attitudes and belief systems my client has in relation to her body.

Because body and mind are so closely connected it is important to examine and resolve any negative body perceptions and emotions. This does not happen overnight. It takes time and gentle care. We take little

Reiki + Healing, cont’d

steps together and explore where these negative feelings reside in the body, mind and soul. Lots of times these feelings go back into their childhood.

With Reiki and intuitive guidance we slowly peel back layers of their story and change it. This is when the healing begins – when they realize that their old stories no longer serve them. I give them tools to be able to love themselves from the inside out. That is where true beauty comes from.

and such an honor. I will never forget how their cat looked back at me letting me know that she was ready to go but wanted to make sure her owners were ready.

It was such an intimate moment. It was emotional and beautiful at the same time. I was able to connect to their other cat that had passed on ages ago and was able to communicate with him waiting on the other side. Truly magical and so powerful. I ended that session with giving my clients a couple Reiki session as they were grieving the loss.

What do you think is the most important thing for women to do/know when it comes to taking care of themselves?

To be able to be a vessel of love and communication for them is why I am so blessed and passionate about what I do.

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Self Love. To take care of others you must first take care of yourself.

In the process of putting so much of yourself into caring for others, you can easily end up neglecting yourself. Your own care suffers; exercise is forgotten, healthy eating is off the menu, you gain weight and lose strength. You age quickly and your health deteriorates. The first step is awareness. Second is about realizing it is ok to ask for help. It’s all about creating balance in your life.

In your work as a healer, is there one particular case that stands out?

There are so many cases to be honest. But there is one that does stand out for me. I got the call from a client to come over and help their cat who suffered from cancer transition into the afterlife. It was such a touching afternoon for all of us. Being able to guide their cat peacefully and at the same time give healing to the owners is a moment I deeply cherish. To be there for all of them during such a heartbreaking time and bring love and light to all of them is truly special

PHOTOGRAPHER: VIKA PETLAKH MAKE UP AND HAIR: TALYA BOZ STYLING: MARY BRENNAN

PHOTOGRAPHER: VIKA PETLAKH MAKE UP AND HAIR: TALYA BOZ STYLING: MARY BRENNAN

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PHOTOGRAPHER: VIKA PETLAKH MAKE UP AND HAIR: TALYA BOZ STYLING: MARY BRENNAN

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Reiki + Healing, cont’d

How is performing Reiki on animals different than treating people?

What’s next for you? Do you have any exciting projects in the works?

Animals don’t have a preconceived notion and expectation of the healing session, where as we as humans often need validation and proof before committing to the session. Having said that, I absolutely love working with people and opening up their minds and shifting their perspective.

I am open to whatever project or whatever client comes my way. I try to think big and not limit myself to what I think should happen. The way the universe has it planned is often better than I could have imagined it myself. I say yes until it stops flowing!

I am currently working on a documentary and several exciting interviews where I am able to combine the work I do as a model as well as a healer and looking forward to see what else is in store for me as I continue to follow my passion.

Through the work I do as a healer I can help people achieve a calmer, more peaceful state of mind. By letting go of the fear and frustration that so often runs our lives, we naturally become more empathic, which allows us to connect to people and the world around us more easily. This not only enhances our capacity for love, it deepens personal relationships and can heal old mental and emotional wounds that keep us stuck.

By helping people and animals, one by one to live a happier and healthier life, I hope to create a positive change that causes a rippling affect and leaves the universe a more positive place.

PHOTOGRAPHER: VIKA PETLAKH MAKE UP AND HAIR: TALYA BOZ STYLING: MARY BRENNAN

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What is the main goal of your work? What impact would you like to have on the world/your community?

“Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors where there were only walls.” - Joseph Campbell

Wendy Both is a Reiki master, an intuitive healer and a model who has traveled the world and dedicated her life to healing others and spreading positive energy.

To see more from Wendy, you can visit her website!

THE POWER OF CHANGE: BAD VIBES TO GOOD VIBES

By Amy Kirkpatrick, Beutiful It’s been a common theme in my life, and I’ve seen it in those around me that the worst of times lead to the best of times. I made a decision a couple years back that I would turn every negative experience I had into something positive. And not just something small - something life altering! After several years of yoga training, meditation, and soul searching, I learned that negative energy can go one of two ways.

You can hold onto it, and believe me, it’s going to be passed on to those around you whether you like it or not, and that keeps that shitty cycle going. Or you can take a moment, breathe, and ‘pivot’, as some people call it. It feels like…. digging yourself out of a hole. It takes a huge push, more energy than just staying feeling low, and a clear vision that this is what you want to do, but it can be done. You can turn every negative experience into a positive one. It is possible. Here’s one example from my past year.

Last winter I was on crutches and wasn’t able to even get to the grocery store because I lived up two very steep flights of stairs, and there was ice on the ground. Ice and crutches don’t mix. Believe me, I tried. Having the amazing help of friends and family around me, who brought me groceries, and things I had needed, got me through this time. After that, my heat was cut during one of the coldest weeks of winter, and I became very ill. I was alone, cold, and feeling down and truly broken. I thought to myself “Okay, this is something so very minor, and it’s still affecting me this much, what about those out there who really are going through tough times, who don’t have the help of friends or family?”

I contacted a local downtown homeless shelter and asked if I could volunteer. They said no, they had enough help, k thanks bye. I found it hilarious I had been rejected… from volunteering. I laughed it off, and thought okay, I’ll think up something else. Moved on. A couple weeks later I got an email from the

shelter saying they were looking for a singer to help with their karaoke program. A homeless shelter was looking for a singer, which I was. How cosmic is that?

Fast forward to four months later, I not only have had some of the best evenings of my life volunteering (that’s no exaggeration), I feel truly changed as a person. Perception is everything in this life, and working freelance as a writer, I can go through tough times like anyone. I sometimes don’t know where the next paycheque is going to come from, or if I can keep running my business some days. A business I’ve fought tooth and nail for to get to where I am today. But going to the shelter every week, belting out Celine Dion and J.Lo songs with youth who are without question going through a tough point in life, hearing them say how very blessed they are, that gets to you.

That changes you. That changes perception in your own life. That changes the way you look at your bed each night. That changes each phone call you receive from a loving parent. That changes every single penny in your bank account, and every meal on the table. .

I have never laughed so hard, sang so loud, or come out of my shell so much as I do on these nights. If you know me, I can be quite shy. But throw 10 kids in a room belting out Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies” and I will be doing that dance routine faster than you could put a ring on it. They know my song is Mario’s “Let Me Love You”. And I know theirs as well.

I could share a thousand stories from these nights, but because of confidentiality, I won’t. There are highs, and there are most definitely lows. I read a quote the other day that said “Happiness isn’t always about being happy” and that really does ring true to me. The path to happiness is hard work, and sometimes it doesn’t feel ‘happy’ at all. For me it’s taking time for daily meditation, running or yoga or some physical activity, as much writing and recording as I can shove into a day, and now, volunteering a couple hours a week.

If you’re going through a tough time, I feel for you.

I do. And you do have the power to turn it into something amazing. That’s your choice, and it won’t be easy, but it can be done. Whatever that one thing that is just getting to you in your life right now, what would turning that energy around feel like? Who could you help by relating to them because of it?

Also, who are you maybe affecting with your negative energy, and is that something you want to pass on? Answer these questions honestly and without judgment. Feelings are visitors and it’s okay to feel exactly what you’re feeling, whatever it is. What I’m saying is, if you are just done with that negative

place, and you are wanting to make a change, know that you are able to do so.

And go easy on yourself, as my mother always tells me. It’s great advice. We often remember to be gentle with others, but you need to come first when it comes to being kind. If your self talk and self love isn’t there, you are not going to have anything to give to anyone.

The other night as I was leaving the shelter and saying goodbye to the youth, one of them finished a song and just stopped and said.. “Man, I am blessed.

We are all so blessed aren’t we?” I’m fairly certain time froze for me in that moment. I had gone in there after a tough week, dealing with my own life trials, and that was just what I had needed to hear. The more you pivot bad energy to good, the more you realize you have everything you need right here and now, the more abundance you have around you.

Blessed. What a powerful word. I am blessed. We are all so blessed.

Amy graduated from the University of Victoria with a Bachelor of Fine Arts majoring in Theatre. Based out of Toronto, Amy currently runs a songwriting business, as well as writes for major labels across the world. She also works as a volunteer youth worker running a karaoke program at a local downtown shelter.

Check out Amy’s blog, Three Cocktails or read more about her here!

#WeAreWomen Underneath We Are Women is an initiative by Australian photographer Amy D. Herrmann, dedicated to showing the diversity of women’s bodies and their souls.

As a tribute to diversity, Herrmann used models that included mothers and momsto-be, women with disabilities, trans women, and survivors of illness. For her project, Herrmann asked each model to strip down and give one adjective she’d use to describe who she was at her core. The results were nothing but powerful and transformative not only for the models, but for Herrmann. The photographer said: “I had just had my second daughter at the time and thought how powerful this project would be for my kids - a project that showed true diversity through untouched and natural photographs. The most surprising thing about this project is the change that happens when these women are photographed. They come into the studio extremely self-conscious…but during the shoot, there is always a moment when I see them let go. It’s a beautiful thing to see a woman who has been so unhappy in her skin for so long completely let her guard down, even just for a couple of minutes.”

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PHOTO CREDIT: AMY D. HERRMANN

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PHOTO CREDIT: AMY D. HERRMANN

PHOTO CREDIT: AMY D. HERRMANN

PHOTO CREDIT: AMY D. HERRMANN

PHOTO CREDIT: AMY D. HERRMANN

PHOTO CREDIT: AMY D. HERRMANN

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PHOTO CREDIT: AMY D. HERRMANN

PHOTO CREDIT: AMY D. HERRMANN

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PHOTO CREDIT: AMY D. HERRMANN

PHOTO CREDIT: AMY D. HERRMANN

PHOTO CREDIT: AMY D. HERRMANN

PLUS SIZE COUTURE An interview with Babydoll Beauty Couture owner Jamie Lopez Jamie Lopez has dedicated the last eight years of her life to the plus size movement. She’s the CEO of the world’s first plus size salon, and a designer of high end plus size clothing - Babydoll Couture. Jamie is very passionate about allowing all women to feel glamorous and beautiful, and we’re honored to share her work!

Tell us about yourself!

My name is Jamie Lopez and I am the CEO and owner of Babydoll Beauty Couture salon in Winnetka, California. This is the world’s first plus size salon. I opened my salon about three years ago, it was very important to me to create a gorgeous environment that was plus size friendly with chairs holding up to 800 pounds and comfortable seating where no discriminating looks or stares are given. Any

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PHOTO CREDIT: BABYDOLL BEAUTY COUTURE

woman of any size can come get glam in a royal environment.

I am also a fashion designer and I have my clothing line Babydoll Couture which is high end fashion for plus size women ranging from size 14 to 36. We specialize in swimwear, lingerie and couture pieces.

I am also a singer - that is my therapy, I have been singing since I was five years old and I have recently

PHOTO CREDIT: BABYDOLL BEAUTY COUTURE

PHOTO CREDIT: BABYDOLL BEAUTY COUTURE

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Plus Size Couture, cont’d

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pursued it on a professional level. Please feel free to keep up with my music here.

true to themselves and only worry about what their friends or society thinks of them.

What was your own body image/self-acceptance journey like? How did you come to accept yourself?

What inspired you to start the Babydoll Beauty Couture salon?

My body image of myself has always been amazing. I have been big all my life but I have always embraced it and still remained fabulous. I was the prom queen of my high school back in 2003 and I always won all of the talent shows.

Everybody knew me for being big and fabulous and not letting my weight keep me from my goals.

However, my weight has definitely affected my love life because I can’t seem to find a boyfriend who is not a closet big girl lover. So that has suffered tremendously. And it’s really sad that men cannot be

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PHOTO CREDIT: BABYDOLL BEAUTY COUTURE

What inspired me to create Babydoll Beauty Couture salon was my own personal experience of being a certified makeup artist and being taken off the schedule and discriminated against for being a plus size woman. I also suffered a humiliating experience at a salon where I broke a chair in front of everyone there because they did not have seating that could accommodate me, so I dedicated my life to trying to break the mold and change the barriers.

How do women react when they come to your salon? What can they expect when they book an appointment?

Women absolutely love my salon. It is a gorgeous establishment where they can feel comfortable and get glam in a royal environment. We have champagne Saturdays, we always have snacks, beverages and all my staff is trained to treat you like family and royalty.

My salon is completely different from any other salon because we have a full service establishment that caters to the plus size woman with our furniture

PHOTO CREDIT: BABYDOLL BEAUTY COUTURE

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PHOTO CREDIT: BABYDOLL BEAUTY COUTURE

Plus Size Couture, cont’d

matter what anyone says and they have to find that in themselves. I would encourage daily affirmations and confidence in themselves that they can do anything they set their mind to.

What do you think is the most damaging thing about the discrimination of plus size bodies?

I think the most damaging thing about the discrimination of plus size bodies is that some people actually believe that they are not beautiful due to society’s perception of things and that can cause a lot of emotional and mental damage. It’s really sad but everyone is beautiful and everybody brings something different and that should be embraced.

What’s next for Babydoll Beauty Couture?

We are expanding to the inland Empire and to Las Vegas! We have many fashion shows coming up and we are prepared to take LA fashion week February 2017 - make sure you like and subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with The Babydolls. We have a series and we give many YouTube tutorials on glam fun topics. Check it out!

PHOTO CREDIT: BABYDOLL BEAUTY COUTURE

holding up to 800 pounds. Our waxing bed holds up to 600 pounds, we have shampoo bowls that are wide so you can be comfortable and put your feet up on all furniture. It was specially crafted to accommodate the plus size woman, however we don’t discriminate on any size, gender or sex. Anyone can come and get glam, anytime.

What is the biggest misconception in the fashion and beauty industry about plus size women?

I find the biggest misconception in the fashion and beauty industry for plus size woman is they don’t think outside the box. Everybody has a very closed mindset on what beauty is. True beauty comes from within and just because I’m not a size 0 does not mean I’m not beautiful and I have dedicated my life to changing the perception of that.

What’s one tip you’d like to give women about accepting themselves and their bodies?

One tip I’d like to give woman about accepting themselves and their bodies is they are beautiful no

USE CODE ‘FTCBABYDOLL’ FOR 10% OFF YOUR PURCHASE! Jamie Lopez is the CEO and founder of the world’s first plus size salon, Babydoll Beauty Couture, and a plus size clothing designer.

For more, you can check out Jamie’s company website, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube!

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BREAST CANCER:

BEYOND PINK RIBBONS

By Erin Miller, Beutiful

Along with bringing cooler temperatures and the wonderful scent of fallen leaves, October is also Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

BCAM is something you have to be living under a rock not to know about, what with all the walks, pink products and the Susan G. Komen fund and commercials featuring laughing women and slogans like “Save the ta-tas.�

Sometimes it seems that the hype overshadows the real purpose of this campaign: educating women and men about breast cancer signs. But all it takes is remembering one person to bring it all back into perspective. In my case, I think of my aunt, and I remember what all the hype is for.

My aunt was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1982 when she was thirty-two years old, the same age I am now. She had three children by this time, and a few months after the birth of my third cousin, she noticed that one of her nipples was bleeding.

She called her gynecologist, and he told her that sometimes happens after giving birth. He said she should monitor it, and if it continued, she should let him know. She called again several weeks later, as the bleeding had not stopped, and he brought her in for an examination. They found a lump, which was discovered to be cancerous by a biopsy of the tissue.

Treatments then were much different than they are now. My aunt was given an immediate mastectomy, and, when her lymph nodes were clean, she was sent home, no chemo or radiation. At that time, doctors did not recommend those treatments when lymph nodes were clean, and she began seeing the oncologist regularly to check for recurrences.

In 1988, her cancer recurred on the incision line of her mastectomy. Though the surgeon had done his best to remove all the cancer cells, he missed a few, and they began growing again. This second

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tumor would not have shown up in a mammogram, so if she had gotten reconstructive surgery after her mastectomy, her tumor would not have been obvious until it had advanced to a more dangerous stage.

When the doctors did a biopsy, they discovered that she was an estrogen-positive patient. Estrogenpositive patients are those whose hormones feed the growth of cancerous cells. The cancer has receptors that respond to the presence of estrogen.

This status also explained why she had developed such a virulent cancer so young soon after giving birth. Pregnancy increases the levels of estrogen and progesterone. Because her cancer responded to estrogen, the increased levels had signaled the cancer cells to grow.

This time, along with a surgery to remove the tumor, she went through chemo and radiation, treatments that, had that been the practice in 1982, might have prevented her cancer’s recurrence. Once a month for six months, she went to the hospital and received chemo treatments. Chemo is a drug cocktail used to help kill cancer cells. It helps prevent the cancer from metastasizing to other parts of the body and shrinks or destroys cancer cells. However, these treatments can also make patients very ill. My aunt got so sick from her chemo treatments that she had to take another drug that knocked her out for three days so she could tolerate her chemo.

Radiation is another method to ensure that the

I can’t imagine living with that kind of uncertainty, especially at my age. I asked her how she got through her experience, knowing that she could very well have died.

She told me that she took it one day at a time. She didn’t read any magazine articles about women who had died from breast cancer because all that would have done was scare her.

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original tumor shrinks. It is a concentrated beam of high-energy radiation that damages the cancer cells’ DNA and causes them to be unable to replicate. The cells then either die or are naturally broken down by the body. She said that radiation was much easier for her, as it was like getting an X-ray.

After the doctors were satisfied that her surgeries and treatments had killed this tumor, they put her on estrogen blockers, which she had taken until about three years ago. Estrogen blockers prevent the body’s natural estrogen from doing its job.

Though it is present in the body, it cannot bond with its natural sites. Therefore, she never got her period again, but she felt reassured by taking the medication because she knew it would help prevent another recurrence of the cancer. Because she had one recurrence, she’s more likely to have another.

Since everyone’s body is different, the doctors cannot give her any kind of guarantee about whether she is out of the woods, since it has been thirty years since her recurrence.

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Breast Cancer: Beyond Pink Ribbons, cont’d

No one’s cancer story is the same, and she knew all she could do was listen to the doctors and hope the treatments would work.

She did talk to survivors, though, others who had gone through the treatments so she knew what she could expect. She created a support system for herself with other people who knew what cancer was like, and she did eventually beat her cancer.

Finally, I asked her why she thinks Breast Cancer Awareness Month is important. She told me that spreading awareness of the signs and symptoms of breast cancer helps people make sure they are healthy and reminds them to check themselves.

People who do not have a personal connection with breast cancer do not always know why mammograms, gynecologist visits, and self-checks are important, and BCAM helps remind them.

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Anyone can get breast cancer, but self-exams can help catch tumors before they have a chance to spread. There are also many events and products available that help raise money for breast cancer research. She often takes part in walks, and many of the women in my family buy pink products to help donate to the Susan G. Komen Foundation for breast cancer research and education.

Though these awareness campaigns cannot undo what happened to her, they can prevent other women from having to go through the same experiences and provide hope that someday breast cancer will be better understood, prevented, and treated.

I admire my aunt for what she went through, but I also share her hope that knowledge will help put an end to the ordeal for other women. I am grateful for her taking the time to be interviewed for this article. I advise all the women reading this to do self-checks and see a gynecologist regularly for check-ups.

Erin Miller is a writer living in New York City, and passionate about feminism and social issues. She is currently working on several novels and is interested in creating diverse and complex characters.

If you’d like to get in touch with Erin, you can email her here!

“I am a 36-year-old person with breast cancer, and not many people know that that happens to women my age or women in their 20s. This is my opportunity now to go out and fight as hard as I can for early detection.� - Actress + breast cancer survivor Christina Applegate

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#ItHappens Brock Turner, a convicted rapist who made headlines for his early release from jail after only serving a pathetic three month sentence, infuriated people all over the country. Turner was caught sexually assaulting an unconscious woman behind a dumpster last year, and was defended by rape apologists everywhere.

Furious by the injustice around Turner’s crime, 20-year-old Yana Mazurkevich created the photo series “It Happens” to create awareness for sexual assault. She said: “The inspiration behind the series was an accumulation of personal experiences and experiences that my friends have been through. There comes a point when it just pisses you off and you want to do something about it.”

Mazurkevich wanted the photos to appear frozen in motion, to show “something that actually happens in real life.”

“This happens to real people, people close to you, people who you know. Look. Look at this and don’t even try to ignore it because it’s right there in front of you to stare at.

Conversation needs to happen, and I am extremely happy that so far people have been stepping out of their comfort zones to speak up and start one.”

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PHOTO CREDIT: YANA MAZURKEVICH PHOTO CREDIT: YANA MAZURKEVICH

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PHOTO CREDIT: YANA MAZURKEVICH

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PHOTO CREDIT: YANA MAZURKEVICH

PHOTO CREDIT: YANA MAZURKEVICH PHOTO CREDIT: YANA MAZURKEVICH

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DOMESTIC VIOLENCE:

A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE

By Jamila Choyce, Beutiful October 2016 is here and it is Domestic Violence Awareness Month!

Now is the time for women and men around the world to shout “No more to domestic violence and sexual assault.” Gospel singer, actress, domestic violence prevention spokesperson Karen Pacouloute is a self-described giver to people who are in need. In her heart, she knows the victims of domestic violence are individuals who are in need. She understands the ramifications of domestic violence here in America and in her native country Guyana. It takes courage and bit of arrogance to say “No more!”

The name-calling, screaming, cursing, anger then fear, the fist then the pain, the terror then bruises, tears then sorrow, pleading and begging then forgiveness. Thus is the endless cycle of domestic violence: the sadness, guilt, shame, and the cover up.

Say no more to the cycle of domestic violence with Karen Pacouloute - gospel singer, actress, & domestic violence prevention spokesperson!

Georgetown, Guyana This Pastor’s daughter was born and reared in Georgetown, Guyana. It is a country in South America. The culture, people, and music is inept in her soul. The flavor of Brazil and Venezuela bounded on the northeastern shoulder of South America was her home until 1989. She immigrated to the United States at the age of nineteen with her father to attend medical school. She gloomily reminisced about her initial migration to America. She stated, “When I first came here, I wanted to go back. I brought my mother’s dress and slept with it.”

Her mother, the Pastor, sacrificed her daughter to ensure her future. Medical school was not her destiny, but the music of her native land and the 74

influence of gospel music was embedded. Karen has been married for five years and proudly boasts of her beautiful daughter, who is in medical school.

Karen takes a stand as a “No More” domestic violence spokesperson Currently, Karen has addressed the issue of domestic violence as a national spokesperson and joined the public outcry along with NoMore.org. As a spokesperson she states, “I want to be the enforcer who will share the truth about domestic violence and what is happening daily amongst women in all walks of life.”

Karen sadly shared the account of a battered woman calling her one late night. The woman told Karen that was being strangled by her husband with a metal chain used to walk a dog. As the woman screamed for her life, Karen calmly told her to pretend she was dead. She felt powerless to help or do anything. Later that day, the woman called her again and thanked her, because that advice helped her to escape from her desperate situation. Moreover, Karen believes everyone can get out of a bad situation irrespective of the socio-economics, racial, or gender barriers that discriminate by social stereotypical statistics.

PHOTO CREDIT: BRAIN COLE OLSCHOOL PRODUCTIONS

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Domestic Violence: A Global Perspective, cont’d

Violence by an intimate partner

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Violence against women and girls is a global epidemic and not unambiguous to religion, culture, region or country, or to particular groups of women within a society. The roots of violence against women lie in persistent discrimination against women and girls. It is shameful to state that nearly 70% women experience violence in their lifetime.

According to World Bank data, women aged 15-44 are more at risk from rape and domestic violence than from cancer, car accidents, war and malaria. The most common form of violence experienced by women globally is physical violence inflicted by an intimate partner, with women beaten, coerced into sex or otherwise abused.

• A World Health Organization (WHO) study in 11 countries found that the percentage of women who had been subjected to sexual violence by an intimate partner ranged from 6% in Japan to 59% in Ethiopia.

• Several global surveys suggest that half of all women who die from homicide are killed by their current or former husbands or partners.

• In Australia, Canada, Israel, South Africa and the United States, 40 - 70% of female murder victims were killed by their partners, according to the World Health Organization.

• In Colombia, one woman is reportedly killed by her partner or former partner every six days.

Similar to Karen’s birthplace she states: “There are far more women killed in Guyana. Every day and in some cases, but some will get the nerve or the courage to fight back.

One story stands out the most in my mind pertaining to a husband and his wife. He would beat her almost

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every day. Sometimes she would end up in the hospital only to return home and be beaten again.

The LAW (police officers) wouldn’t do anything. One day after beating her within inches of her life, he went to sleep a few hours. Later I saw her run into my aunt’s house to hide. She had found the courage to stop him by dousing him with a large pot of hot oil.... that was the last day he ever hit her.

I have family members that were either on the receiving end of this abusive behavior or giving it to someone, but it is a very major problem in Guyana.

Currently, there are domestic violence groups started only because of all the women being kill by their lovers/husbands.”

Relationships should be based on love, trust, and respect. If you do not feel safe in your relationship, help is available. You are not alone.

In addition to WHO and Karen’s testimonial, Guyana’s largest selling daily newspaper Kaieteur News, concurs with the facts. In 2015 the police received 2,170 reports of domestic violence cases, and 1,131 persons were charged for it last year. Penalties for violation of protection orders include fines up to $10,000 and 12 months’ imprisonment. Survivors were often unwilling to press charges due to a lack of confidence in obtaining a remedy through the courts.

Some preferred to reach a pecuniary settlement out of court.

It is evident that servitude is paramount in Karen’s life. It is exhibited by sharing her encounters with domestic violence by speaking, preaching, teaching, and singing at churches, rallies, or any event that takes a stance against domestic violence. Karen is a kind hearted, compassionate, family oriented, and naturally phenomenal woman. It was her deep desire to change the world by becoming a strong activist against domestic violence.

For more information about resources for battered women and domestic violence, please check out Decimosnomas and the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network.

Jamila Choyce is a print and runway plus size model, actress, talk show hostess, journalist and creator of Jamila Jay’s Plus Size Revolution.

You can visit her website or follow her on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube or Tumblr!

“Every nine seconds in the United States a woman is assaulted or beaten. Every nine seconds. Violence against women is the single greatest human rights violation of our generation.� - Sir Patrick Stewart 77

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