For ages, society has always praised a particular image when it came to women. Whether it’s tall, fair-skinned, or skinny; and although most of these attributes are found acceptable, what happens to the few who just don’t quite fit the description? What happens to the genetic coloring that goes outside of the lines?

Last year, Ashley Graham, a Nebraska native broke history as being the first ever plus size model to appear on the front page of ‘Sports Illustrated’ swimsuit issue. This prestigious magazine is a prime example of women projected to be the norm of what attractive women should appear to be. Models who were riddled with coke bottle figures, and smooth skin. Models deemed to be the main attraction, up until Graham that is.

Earlier at the beginning of the year, ‘Sports Illustrated’ was in the midst of releasing their anticipated annual swimsuit edition when they announced that the luscious model would be featured on the cover of the issue. She would be the first plus sized model to make the pages, and the critics were going wild! Following the process there were many mixed comments about the feature. Some felt that letting a full figured woman appear on the magazine would only be glamorizing models like her, others saw this as a form of equality for the plus sized models; but regardless it was a big move in the modeling world, and a bigger move for the plus.

Since the release of the issue, Graham has met much more success. Including appearances on “Good Morning America”, a guest speaking opportunity with ‘Ted Talks’ and even being featured as the cover girl for Maxim magazine's April issue. She’s a definite inspiration for individuals like her everywhere. Her courage and ability to put herself at the front lines and represent those who don’t possess the same courage is truly admirable.

For how long are we going to pretend that beauty does not belong to the eye of the beholder? Sure, the painted picture of the perfect woman may be something that our society tries to attain, but thanks to individuals like Graham we have seen that an everyday woman could be just as beautiful. It can take a toll at a person's self worth when they see what they have to bring to the table is not something that's accepted by the world around them. What we can all agree on about the world we live in today, is that it's a changing one. Our painted image of the perfect figure has now come and gone, along with what defines it. Waist sizes that were once down are now up, and our world is better for it.