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HOME ~ NEWS/EVENTS ~ March 01, 2011

Girls LeadFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 9, 2011

Contact: Deborah Penta (508) 616-9900 (117)

 

Women and Girls Learn Secrets to Healthy Body Image


WESTBOROUGH - Body image has long been an issue that women struggle with in all stages of life. The Female Leadership Interest Council, FLIC®, will be hosting an evening program, "Loving the Skin You're in: Reflections on Body Image" on Thursday, March 31, 2011 from 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. at the YMCA of Central Massachusetts in Westborough. This program is the first in a "Mother and Daughter Educational Series" that will be held at the YMCA of Central Massachusetts as part of the FLIC® and YMCA Girls-Lead™ Initiative.

 

"Loving the Skin You're In: Reflection on Body Image" is the first program in an ongoing series to help bring mothers and daughters together on important issues on health and wellness. This program will be led by local psychologist Dr. Rachel Gaillard Smook, of Birchtree Psychology in Northborough.

 

"Our mission is to pay-it-forward by helping women of all ages strengthen their lives and leadership skills. We are delighted to offer this event as part of our Girl's Lead Program," said FLIC® founder, Deborah Penta of Westborough. "Our newly designed evening series offers teenage and college students and adult women, the opportunity to learn and discuss topics that are relevant and important in all stages in life. We hope that by providing the community with free educational events, such as this, that they will benefit from the shared wisdom of our speakers and the shared generational exchange as well."

 

The workshop will discuss how people feel about their appearance and how the media plays an integral role in the perception of looks and what is considered beautiful. Dr. Gaillard Smook will teach attendees how they can understand their body image and will show video photos of celebrities before retouching and computer enhancement, and then what these same photos look like afterwards.  Attendees will learn about the relationship between body image and self-esteem and how they can protect themselves from the negative or dangerous messages they receive about their own bodies. The workshop will also address the national obsession with weight, the issue of social justice (or injustice), and ways each of us can help foster a body-positive world.

 

"We are very grateful to Dr. Rachael Gaillard Smook for sharing her experience and wisdom on body image with our attendees," said Penta.

 

I look at body image as a social justice issue," Dr. Gaillard Smook said. "We are taught to not talk negatively about skin color, but we seem to not translate that when it comes to body shape or size. We are doing a real disservice to ourselves and to others. I hope that everyone will come away with an understanding of what it means to be a person working for a just planet, and learn how to talk kindly about your own body and about others. You are responsible for what you think, act, and react."

 

"We are excited to partner with the team at FLIC® to bring another great life-balance and leadership program to our community through our collaborative Girls Lead™ initiative," said Betsy Moquin, director of Membership and Community relations at the YMCA of Central Massachusetts. "Last year's programs were geared toward pre-teens and teens, and we are excited to expand the program this year so that females of all ages will benefit."

 

"This really embraces all ages. Learning how to take care of ourselves is pretty profound and not something that has historically been well-embraced. If you feel good about yourself, you're a more effective leader. This kind of thinking is part of a new horizon for women in leadership," Dr. Gaillard Smook said.

 

"Effective leadership starts with confidence from within," Penta said. "When people feel good about themselves and have the courage to tap into their authentic selves, their true leadership potential emerges. A healthy perception of oneself inevitably helps catapult success."

 

"Dr. Gaillard Smook's years of experience in dealing with women and youth make her an ideal presenter to discuss body image. This is a program you won't want to miss," Moquin said.

 

There is no cost to attend this workshop, however pre-registration is required. To register, call Debbie Desposito at (508) 616-9900 ext. 110. Refreshments will be provided.


 

 

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