You may have seen Chrysoula Margaritidis perform an original piece about the Free the Nipple campaign in last year’s production of “the Vagina Monologues” at Lasell. Margaritidis, a Hospitality and Event Management major graduating in 2016 is a member of the Honors Society, Hospitality Club, Lasell’s “Vagina Monologues” production, as well as a Blue Key Ambassador and a Global Ambassador. But what makes Margaritidis unique, and one of our “Baddest Females on Campus,” is her passion for equality throughout all aspects of the human race.
Margaritidis is a huge supporter of the Free the Nipple campaign. She says, “Free the Nipple is about desexualizing the female body. It’s about making people see men and women as equals. I should not be paid less because I can give birth. I should not be jailed and fined for having the ability to feed my newborn if I chose to do so in public. My body should not be an obstacle in the workforce.”
Graduation is on the horizon for Margaritidis, and just like any other senior in college, the future scares her. “Whatever I end up doing, I know that I want to continue to support the Free the Nipple campaign and see the laws change as well as help change the negative race versus race culture we have seem to have. I want to help with the negative stigma surround mental health.”
Her passion for equality helps in the way she speaks to others. But it also makes her listen to what people are saying and joking about around her. She hears when people make negative, stereotypical jokes or comments about races or genders. Margaratidis sees these comments as a person supporting a negative stereotype and lifestyle, and she’s really hoping to have an impact on this issue in the future. “The worst thing someone can do is force his or her opinions onto someone else,” she says. “I never want to do that. What I do want is to help people look at controversial topics in new ways. It’s important to get different opinions. It may bring something to the table you hadn’t realized before.”
Margaritidis encourages you to look into the Free the Nipple campaign, especially if you thought the campaign was just a movement so women can walk around topless.
“I want to help everyone. I want to work to make humanity one again,” she says. She doesn’t know it yet, but Margaritidis will change the world someday. “I just haven’t figured out how yet. But I will.”
Yes. She will.