Sept. 28 is National Women’s Fitness Day, which celebrates healthy lifestyles among women of all ages. In honor of the holiday, Her Campus at VCU took to Monroe Park with some friends for a photo shoot that recognized different body types, promoted body positivity and the ability for women to lift each other up. From left to right: Saiounia Hughley, Maelyn Platon, Emily Gerber, Katie Bashista, Sydney Scott, Mersina Grljevic.
Monroe Park, located in the center of VCU’s dorms, is a central part of campus. These women came out voluntarily in sports bras, to celebrate some of the different body types within the organization and community.
“I think doing a shoot in the park was fun and creative,” said Courtney Rogers (20). “It definitely stopped a few people so I believe it brought awareness to the holiday.”
Emily Gerber (19) also noted the people that were walking in or around Monroe Park during the time of the photo shoot but said that it didn’t make her feel anymore uncomfortable.
“It didn’t seem like anyone really cared,” said Gerber. “There was no stopping, gawking or pointing. I didn’t feel embarrassed at all and not too self-conscious.”
Courtney Rogers and Amanda Valenzuela
Sydney Scott (19) said that as more girls showed up the shoot became less serious and intimidating. Everyone was having fun and insecurities started to fade.
“It made me realize that no one else is paying attention to things I see as “problem areas” or have insecurities about except for me,” said Scott. “It was a realization that I’m just overthinking things and being paranoid for no reason and I just needed to relax and be confident.”
Maddy Murrow (18) said it felt unusual for her to be in Monroe Park in just a sports bra because she typically doesn’t even workout in just a sports bra.
“It was empowering,” said Murrow. “I’m proud of my body and the work I put into it.
The photographer of the shoot, Chelsea Schmidt (20), was inspired by these women’s ability to come out and participate.
“I personally am not always liking my body or how I look in general,” said Schmidt. “I think it’s really awesome when women can be leaders and have the confidence to do what they did in Monroe Park.”
Saiounia Hughley felt that being among such positive, inspiring women made the experience less intimidating.
“Their confidence made me even more confident,” said Hughley. “Standing there knowing that all of these physically different women loved their bodies, I just simply thought to myself ‘I should be smiling just as hard because my body is beautiful’”. From left to right: Maddy Murrow, Saiounia Hughley, Maelyn Platon, Emily Gerber, Katie Bashista, Sydney Scott, Mersina Grljevic
“Women’s health is important because it reflects not only on our physical wellness but also other dimensions of health like our psychological well-being and social factors,” said Rogers. “It’s important to be healthy to reach our full potential in life.” Katie Bashista
Taking that initial step towards a healthier lifestyle is the hardest part of one’s fitness journey but for women that want to make an effort towards living healthier, it’s so worth it.
“Nobody should ever feel insecure about their own body and their fitness lifestyle or intimidated in feeling like they are not fit enough to go to the gym,” said Maelyn Platon.
Learning to love your body is a struggle and it takes more than just going to the gym or eating cleaner to accomplish. It’s a mental process that requires effort and patience. National Women’s Fitness Day is a day for women to come together to encourage each other to feel beautiful in their bodies.
“I love being a woman and my body makes me feel strong,” said Valenzuela. “All women are beautiful and I feel proud to be able to celebrate this day.”
Top, left to right: Amanda Valenzuela, Maelyn Platon, Mersina Grljevic, Sydney Scott
Bottom, left to right: Saiounia Hughley, Katie Bashista, Maddy Murrow, Maelyn Platon, Mersina Grljevic, Sydney Scott, Emily Gerber
All photos by: Chelsea Schmidt