Normally, when I think of empowering women, I do not think of the Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition. I do not usually consider scantily clad women on the cover of magazines to be the epitome of feminism. However, this year's edition of the ever-popular publication turned heads, and not for the usual reasons.
This year's cover featured three unique covers, each with a different model; UFC champion Ronda Rousey, blonde bombshell Hailey Clauson and body activist and size 16 model Ashley Graham.
I appreciate the beauty of each of these women, but I am especially excited about the presence of a non-traditional, curvy swimsuit model on the cover of one of the most talked-about magazine covers in the country.
It is quite obvious that Graham, a body positivity activist, does not fit the mold of what has widely been considered to be a Sports Illustrated swimsuit model. The model's curves diverge from the typical stick-thin model that is normally portrayed on the cover.
While many people, including myself, were ecstatic to see a curvy woman on the cover, others criticized the Graham's photos.
"I don't like that we're talking about full-figured women because it's glamorizing them because your waist should be smaller than 35 [inches]," said 68-year-old model Cheryl Tiegs. Tiegs has been on the cover of Sports Illustrated three times.
It's important to realize that putting a curvy woman on the cover is in no way promoting an unhealthy lifestyle. Although Graham may not be a size two, that doesn't mean she isn't living a healthy lifestyle. There are obviously guidelines for waist size, BMI, and weight, but these numbers alone cannot determine healthiness and overall well-being. Graham is an avid proponent of living a healthy lifestyle, even posting workout videos of herself on her Instagram account.
"I believe you can be healthy at every size, and if you take care of yourself, it doesn't matter how big you are, from a 2 to 22, you can be active and love the skin you're in," Graham told Vogue last year. "I'm trying to get the message out there, not just younger girls but older women who have become bigger from age, just to love every inch of themselves."
Graham's message of empowerment is truly inspiring. It is crucial that our society realizes that beauty, and even health cannot be defined by a number or measurement. The traditional beauty standards that society has accepted, are not an accurate reflection of who we actually are.
Beauty cannot be defined or shoved into one category. Graham's cover can inspire women, of all sizes, to feel empowered and proud of their bodies. This cover is a reminder that even those of us who can't fit into a size two pair of jeans, are beautiful too.
As a woman who has and continues to struggle with embracing and loving my own body, Graham's cover empowers me. I am one of the women, who no matter how much I work out or eat healthy, will never be a size zero. I am admittedly a curvy and big-boned girl even though I work hard to live a healthy lifestyle. Despite my hard work in the gym and kitchen, my thighs will always jiggle, I will always have dimples in my skin, and I will never have a thigh gap. Graham's cover is helping me realize that my body, no matter the size, is beautiful. It is nice to see someone who looks like me, being celebrated and considered sexy.
Although Sports Illustrated seems like an unlikely place to find female empowerment, this cover and its beautiful model truly are breaking the mold and changing the conversation about standards of beauty. It isn't about the skimpy bathing suits or provocative poses, it's about the fact that Graham is inspiring people to love their bodies, no matter the size. So instead of shaming Graham for being "unhealthy" let's embrace the fact that health comes in all different shapes and sizes
