Change the World’s View of a Beautiful Woman
Oh my word! I am so inspired right now I had to write this blog post. I’ve been marketing and advertising since I was 19. The tools I’ve used have certainly changed over the years. Let’s just say the color of my hair changes about every 10 weeks, now. I’ve been marketing or advertising for a while in varying degrees for all kinds of businesses. For the last 17 years I’ve been promoting my company, The Concierge Office Suites. Let’s just say, I have some experience.
I’ve always been passionate about women’s issues. My Dad raised two empowered young women before he passed away when I was 13. My mom raised my sister and me through the difficult teenage years. She was able to be an entrepreneur and provide a stable and happy home for my sister and I. I helped my Mom in her business. I watched my Mom struggle to make things work as a single parent and entrepreneur. I knew I had to take responsibility for myself at a very young age. In fact, looking back I’ll say I’ve always been passionate about women in the workplace and women’s issues.
Recently my awareness of women portrayed in the media has been raised thanks to a young woman, Courtney Morales. I’ve served on several boards and in several business related women’s associations over the years. I’ve always tried to make a positive difference in the community, especially for women. Since August of 2016, I’ve been leading Lean In WomenGroundBreakers in Chattanooga. During Women’s History Month myself, some friends and several other women’s groups sponsored a public viewing of Miss Representation here in Chattanooga. I’ve watched T.V., read magazines, blogs, gone to movies, looked at all kinds of print and media advertising with different eyes than most people. I’ve been keenly aware of good visual design. I’ve realized the impact of advertising but never noticed how deeply these messages shape our view of the world. I’m forever changed for the good having watched Miss Representation. I can’t say that many movies or documentaries have done that for me until now. Now, I’m uberly aware of how women are portrayed in the media. I’ve been wondering how can one woman change this distorted view of what a beautiful woman is? I’ve never been obsessed with how I look. I’ve just wanted to look the best I could within reason – no surgery, injections for me. I’ve been sharing in my Lean In WomenGroundBreakers Circle events how real women share their real stories. This can happen several ways. It’s about what we post on social media. It’s how we present ourselves in public. It’s what we write about ourselves. I’ve been working diligently one post, one meeting, one conversation at a time – a grass roots, local initiative for myself. A woman has to start somewhere! Why can’t it been where I live? Why can’t I be “that woman”?
Today I’ve learned how the brand Dove has been working tirelessly to change the perception of “the beautiful woman” on an international scale! I’m just giddy! I was wondering if any “big brands” would take this issue seriously. I’ve actually found it difficult to find digital images of women working portrayed in polished, powerful, serious, “real,” diverse, ways for my social posts. Crazy isn’t it? It’s frustrating, too. If women, especially young women can’t find or experience powerful business women in the media how will they ever become them? Let’s see what we can do to change this! Thanks Dove for making a positive difference. Keep going! It is possible to make a positive difference right where you are.
