It’s a truly good thing to see the push for a “body positivism” really gathering pace – right around the world. When you hear that generally women have 13 negative thoughts about their body every day and that American women would rather win America’s Next Top Model than win a Nobel Prize, it’s more fire to the cause that women and the world reject the idea of bodily perfection and embrace what they’ve got. But, although a lot of celebs and media commentators are now vociferous in their support of being body positive, there are plenty of inspirational women who were doing long before it became a thing.
1 Kate Winslet
Kate Winslet may be one of the most successful leading Hollywood over the last twenty years, but she will be the first to tell you that her boobs sag just like yours or her stretch marks are just as present as yours are. Kate has always been great and closing the gap between our expectations of cinema beauty and real beauty, and her ability to keep it real means that that kind of glamour isn’t just for the tight-tummied 22 year olds in Los Angeles!
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2 Margaret Cho
Comedienne and actress Margaret Cho has always been outspoken when it comes to women’s issues, especially body positivity. Much of her material focuses on feminist issues that all encompass the way we look, and her blend of comedy preaches a message of self-acceptance and body confidence that is really important.
3 Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton has always been one of the women who are advocates of the ‘body positive’. Larger than life in personality and in ‘certain’ aspects of her physical body, Dolly has never tried to deny that fact that she has had cosmetic surgery, but the important thing to consider is that she has always stated that she does it for herself, not for anybody else. The sentiment that you should do whatever makes you happy is key to achieving body positivity.
4 Gloria Steinem
One of the most prominent feminist figures of the last century, Gloria Steinem has always dedicated her time to boosting the female ego and encouraging women to see their true worth. Her belief is that the obsession with the perfect female body is an attempt to distract women from the real power that they have in society, so her advice is to not get distracted!
5 Aimee Mullins
A true inspiration, athlete model and activist Aimee Mullins was born without a fibula in both legs, which were subsequently amputated. Did she let that define her life? Absolutely not. She went on to compete on the 100m, 200m and long jump at the Paralympics and has been on the cover of numerous magazines. A true beauty who didn’t let her disability shape her body confidence.
6 Crystal Renn
Model Crystal Renn was scouted at 14 and ordered to lose weight, which lead to a horrible period of anorexia and depression. Determined to buck the trend, however, Renn decided change her life, gained 70 pounds, and become of the most high profile plus size models in the world. A wonderful role model that shows you don’t have to be a size 2 to be admired for your beauty.
7 Hillary Clinton
Hillary is the perfect example of somebody who uses her body positivity to her benefit. Every time she wears a new pantsuit or changes her hair, it makes front-page news. And what does she do with this media attention? Uses it to her advantage to further and strengthen her causes. Hillary, you go girl!
Who do you look up to who encourages the body positive?
