A Woman's Confidence Is True Beauty by blogger Karly Sacco

       It all comes down to jealously. When women let other women tear them down based on looks, achievements, or anything in between, it will always come back to how they wish they could be more like someone else. Well, no one ever said that you have to dress, act, or be a certain way in order to gain success. The only way to truly to be happy and have control of your life is to be yourself. 

          

      Do not compare yourself to anyone else because there’s only one you. In today’s society there is so much pressure to be something that we are not, especially for us young women. The ads shown in magazines and all over the media have unrealistic models (most likely Photo Shopped) to sell their brands. These images are ones that women aspire to be, but the reality of it is, no one looks like that, not even the models in the pictures. These images that are fed to us just adds to insecurities that women already have every day. Even going to work can become a best-dressed competition.

      I feel that the best way to push all of the confidence issues aside is to become more positive when it comes to other women. Do not let the little things get to you. Instead of letting the negative thoughts bottle up in your mind about how you wish you could fit into that dress, or how you wish you could be more personable, speak up in a positive way. Next time you see a woman in a nice outfit, compliment her sincerely on it to show her your confident. You will feel good about yourself and you can feel good about others that may have made you upset if you let them get to you. A woman's most beautiful attribute is her confident. Without having a sense of self worth and independence, you will become weak and that is when others can get you when you're down.

      Be proud of who you are and where you came from. We all have our own story, and chances are you have worked really hard to make it to where you are now. So why waste your time letting others get you down? Women have already come so far within the work place, and we should be proud of each other, not jealous. We need to continue to send a positive message to the youth, and motivate them to continue the path of gender equality. Whenever you feel yourself start to stray, remember to not compare yourself to others, and be comfortable in your own skin.

Rise For What Is RIght by Benedictine University blogger Karly Sacco

The media is a huge influence on what people do and say every day. It is subliminally impacting us young adults through music, movies, fashion and everything in between. There really is no way to escape the pressure of being just like some celebrities. The worst part is that most of them don’t even look like how the media portrays them in the magazines and on television. Take away the airbrushes and the magic of Photoshop and they are just like all of us, an every day person. The media holds us to such high standards that quite honestly are not realistic. This is a problem especially for people in their early 20’s. We sometimes become afraid to speak our minds because we don’t want to be judged by what others think of us. The idea that if we do not act “normal” or what is thought of as normal, all eyes will be on us. College students have become afraid to raise awareness about important issues that happen on campus because of this very idea. This notion needs some rethinking.

A lot of people are afraid of the idea of standing out and being different. Although, being put under a spot light isn’t always a bad thing. If you are standing up for something that you believe in and want to make a difference, then by all means please speak your mind. I feel that the college life is the same for most people. Get up, go to class, eat, study, and hang out with friends. Most people have a routine and it is hard for them to break it. Most people just got about their days seeing and hearing things that they want to speak up about, but are too nervous to say anything. I feel that the media made society this way. They have put the idea in our heads that fitting in and confiding to the every day norm is something we should all be doing.

We need to break the norm and prove people wrong. Stand up for what is right and don’t care what other people think about you. If you see or hear something about someone being a victim of a sexual assault, don’t be afraid to get him or her help. On the other hand, if you are the victim, do not be scared to get help as well. You are not alone and you will not be judged.

The media gives people the power to believe that they can be something that they are not. A sexual assault attacker could use this power in a negative way. College is a time for learning and discovering yourself. Learn what is right and what is wrong with the media and do not let it influence you to be someone you’re not, somebody perfect, someone that is non-realistic. Just be you and you can raise awareness and stop hiding behind a digital wall. Facebook and Twitter are not going to help you when serious issues like sexual assault occur on your campus. Action needs to be made in person. So put your cellphone down, close your laptops for a few hours, and confront the reality of spreading awareness.

Society's Twisted View of A Woman's Body by Benedictine Blogger Karly

We have a very fast moving society in America. It is really easy for us to just go through the motions without any emotions on a day-to-day basis. People pass judgments all the time, so it is not that surprising that a big part of our culture is sex selling and women are at the core of it. In a way it may seem easier to the aggressor whom victimizes women because if she does not see herself as nothing more than an object then why should it matter what happens to her? However, a woman being viewed this way is not all society’s fault. Some girls regrettably make the name for the rest of us.

Yes sex does sell,  but if it was not for some of the girls that take their sexy image a little bit too far with risky clothing and promiscuous behavior, things might be a little better for the view of women.

It is depressing that some women do not even care if they are called objects because with the image that society has given women, they feel like “well maybe it is okay to feel worthless because people already view me that way.”

Many girls do not have any respect for their own body. The main blame goes on society and what it has done to the female population. But it cannot take all the blame. Girls need to stand up for themselves and speak up when they feel like they are being treated like trash. We need to stop society’s negative views of women and change them to look at women and think words like, power, leadership, feminism, strength, and respect.

The key is for us as women to better ourselves and for others to see that females are not just a sex object. Girls are not just something that can be easily thrown around. Some people will never fully change, but let’s give them a reason to stop and think; women are more than just a body.

Women’s Rights Have Made A Difference by Benedictine University blogger Karly Sacco

We Can Do It

It is hard to believe how far we have come. All the battles we have fought to get to where we are. Women have always been looked at as the less dominate ones. It is unfortunate that the evolution took this long. But finally, women have the majority of the same rights that men do. It was not easy getting here, the journey has been a long and hard one but looking back women have truly shaped the way people treat them not only just in the work place, but also on college campuses. The role that women’s rights play is extremely important today to encourage, shape and educate young women in schools so that they can continue the growth of equality. 

When most people think of women’s rights they think of the important women in history, the events that have shaped what women stand for today, and women in the work place. But rarely people think of how women’s rights affect college life. It is not thought to be abnormal that men and women go to school together today and it shouldn’t be. On college campus’s women have the same, maybe even more active rolls than men. Their dominance in school life shows not to treat them differently just because they are girls. Women on college campuses are the ones truly living out the dream that history has made possible today.

Today women are stronger than ever. Just think if women in America did not come as far as they have today. What if Rosa Parks never stood her ground for women that are still living her message today? Or if Amelia Earhart never took the risks and adventures to show that women are just as strong as men. Over the years, there have been riots because of many intense topics but the one that continues to be changing over time is the fact that women are still making a difference in this world. Some men are still not too fond of this idea. But those men have to face the facts and realize that women are not going anywhere, and it is only up from here. Whether you are a male or female, beginning in elementary school the importance of women’s rights has been implanted in our brains so it has only been natural for society to shift its views on what women are capable of achieving. Although we have come a long way, there are other parts of the world that are still less fortunate than America. Women’s rights are still an everyday battle for a lot of women in struggling countries where men still see themselves as more powerful of the two sexes. Hopefully one day the whole world will see how important the impact women’s ideas and thoughts can have on society.