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Perfect Illusions is for every body

Women’s Center hosts event to promote body positivity

<p>The Maxine Platzer Lynn Women’s Center's Body Positivity initiative works year-round to promote a body positive community.&nbsp;</p>

The Maxine Platzer Lynn Women’s Center's Body Positivity initiative works year-round to promote a body positive community. 

With many students about to return home for Thanksgiving, the Maxine Platzer Lynn Women’s Center hosted Perfect Illusions — an event to promote body positivity and spread awareness about eating disorders, in Newcomb Hall Wednesday night.

The event was open to students, faculty and families, featuring a completely open mic which allowed audience members to speak voluntarily about their experience with eating disorders.

“Anyone can speak about their recovery, focusing on what your experience has been like and what your recovery has been like,” Charlotte Chapman, program director for counseling at the Women’s Center, said.

The event aimed to bring awareness to eating disorders and provide a supportive environment, Chapman said.

“In the past, [some people] have never spoken about this in public, and so, it’s a very empowering experience for people,” Chapman said.

Fourth-year College student Danielle Kimball, an intern at the Women’s Center, intended for the event to be a comfortable place where people could talk about their experiences and concerns about body issues and eating disorders.

“We really encourage it as a space to talk about eating disorder concerns and body issues, as a [comfortable] space to talk about those things that aren’t really accepted in a normal conversation on Grounds and the U.Va. community,” Kimball said. “Feeling comfortable sharing that experience, and knowing that you have people that support you, support recovery, and support body positivity is so important because you are not alone.”

Kimball said those feelings are especially relevant on college campuses, including the University.

“It’s very easy to feel that way, especially in a college environment and an environment like U.Va.,” Kimball said. “People feel the need to hold up a certain standard what the U.Va. girl looks like what the U.Va. male looks like.”

This is not the only body positivity program hosted by the Women’s Center each year. In fact, the Body Positive Program works year-round to encourage “a body positive community at U.Va. where everyone enjoys a healthy relationship with food, exercise and body image,” according to its website.

For example, next semester the Women’s Center will be hosting “Celebrate Every Body Week” Feb. 23-27, featuring a Zumba class, multiple movie screenings and a jeans exchange on the Lawn, in which students will donate theirs jeans that do not fit anymore in exchange for t-shirts.

Perfect Illusions, along with the many other events, is a way for the Women’s Center to let people on grounds know about the resources available to them.

“There has been an increase in people calling for counseling after they’ve heard other folks speaking [at Perfect Illusions],” Chapman said.

The Women’s Center also offers counseling services similar to Counseling and Psychological Services, but it is more specifically directed toward women.

“This year and the past couple years, U.Va. has been better, getting their services out and letting people know what is available,” Kimball said. “I really like how the Women’s Center takes a proactive approach.”

With the holidays approaching, the Women’s Center suggests that people focus on the meaning of holidays, rather than the meals that accompany the season.

“There is no such thing as bad food,” Chapman said. “We don’t encourage people to restrict, but to think in terms of their health.”

Kimball advised creating a positive environment and being around people that make you feel good about yourself.

“Enjoy good food but remember to stay active and healthy,” Kimball said.

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