From a young age, women are taught to associate important life milestones with how their bodies look. We’re told to suck in our stomachs at our first dance recitals, diet to fit into our high school prom dresses, and search our bodies for evidence of the “Freshman 15” after our first year of college. Not… Continue Reading →
“She’s so beautiful!”: The sexist comment that nobody else noticed
Recently, I was sitting in a room full of people, listening as recent graduates of a medical residency program were congratulated while their photos were shown on a screen in front of the room. When one woman’s photograph came up on the screen, the presenter read the following note from the woman’s family: “To our daughter,… Continue Reading →
The haircut: A body image trial
Having just completed an incredibly challenging year abroad, I decided I needed a change. Something radical. So why not chop off all of my hair? It would the perfect symbol of growth, accomplishment, and moving on, I thought. Which was totally valid. But I’m glad I didn’t go through with it. See, what I was… Continue Reading →
“You look too young to be a 51-year-old!”: Unhealthy beauty standards at the White House
Recently, the unquestionably accomplished First Lady Michelle Obama spoke to a group of children in the East Room of the White House for Take-Our-Daughters-And-Sons-To-Work Day. Few people are better representatives of hard work than Ms. Obama, and, as one could reasonably expect, she was direct about the effort she put into achieving success. Ms. Obama… Continue Reading →
Why I love Amy Schumer’s new music video, “Girl, You Don’t Need Makeup”
The other morning, while eating my breakfast, I found this: comedienne Amy Schumer’s new music video, “Girl, You Don’t Need Makeup.” I watched it thinking it would be a silly remake of some song. I was wrong. It is so much more. I have since sent this to all of my best girl friends. I… Continue Reading →
All-natural or all-sexist? Carl’s Jr. does it again
Why go all-natural? Carl’s Jr.’s latest burger commercial can tell you. “I love going all natural. It just makes me feel better,” says a voluptuous blond woman wearing little more than…well…anything. This woman, who has hobbies, goals, dreams, and a personality that we know nothing about, is the spokesperson for the new All-Natural Burger at… Continue Reading →
The feminist value of Amal Clooney’s beauty and brains
“Some readers may wonder how a woman described by Elle magazine as having ‘stunning looks, flirty dresses, tailored pants, colorful heels, and gorgeous hair’ is involved in such a complex legal matter? … It may be astonishing to most people that Amal Alamuddin, now Mrs. Clooney, is much more than a pretty face! In fact,… Continue Reading →
Wearing the same outfit every day for a year can be euphoric
Nadia Eghbal’s article, “Why I Wore The Same Outfit Every Day for a Year,” hits very close to home for me. Recently, I’ve been thinking a lot about clothes. Not in an “I-must-own-the-latest-fashions” sense, but in a “Do-my-clothes-really-embody-who-I-am?” sense. Firstly, I get frustrated with finding clothes to fit and flatter my body. On top of… Continue Reading →