Greek Life Ambassador
From my perspective…
Body image: two words that strike fear into the hearts of most girls — and more guys than one would expect.
During this past week, Hannah Nallo ’15, vice president of community service for Kappa Delta sorority, led the Kappa Delta sisters in educating the College about eating disorders. The week of Feb. 25 to March 1 was National Eating Disorder Awareness Week. Who knew? I certainly did not until I saw a few Kappa Delta sisters tabling in the College Center.
According to Nallo, the goal of the event was to raise awareness of eating disorders. Kappa Delta created a “Get Real” wall with cut-outs from magazines based on how the media portrays people. The sisters also created pamphlets on how to help a friend with an eating disorder, complete with statistics.
Personally, I have run into the eating disorder issue a few times. In high school, at home, and even here at F&M I have seen the eating disorder monster rear its ugly head. It is an extremely touchy subject, and the scariest part is most people do not even truly understand when the line between eating disorder and fanatic diet craze is crossed.
Almost everyone knows at least one person affected by an eating disorder, and that is why Kappa Delta is getting out there and supporting this cause. I, however, was wondering, with eating disorders being so private and hush-hush, if Kappa Delta really considers its efforts as making a difference.
“I think raising any kind of awareness on our campus is a big deal,” Nallo said. “I personally have a friend affected by an eating disorder and think it is important to educate people.”
Hopefully by educating everyone, more people will come to see those girls up on the Victoria Secret Catwalk are not the norm. For example, the movie Pitch Perfect — shameless plug — has one of my all-time favorite characters, who is a perfect example of someone who loves herself and basically tells the world to shove it.
The character, played by Rebel Wilson — her name says it all — goes by the name Fat Amy. When asked why she calls herself this, she responds matter-of-factly, “So twig bitches like you don’t say it behind my back.”
Besides having stellar vocal chords, a sexy as hell Australian accent, and an attitude that would put my sister to shame, Fat Amy has the gift of making everyone in the room feel totally comfortable (or uncomfortable depending on the conversation topic) because she is comfortable with and understands herself.
Promoting eating disorder awareness is just one of the many causes Kappa Delta supports as the sorority adopts a new cause each month.
Kappa Delta even created The Confidence Coalition in 2009. According to the Coalition’s website, “This national movement enables women and girls to stand up to peer pressure and media stereotypes, say no to risky behavior and abusive relationships, and put an end to relational aggression, such as bullying — on the playground and in the office.” Another venture of the Coalition is the “You Make Me Smile” balloon campaign.
“I’m a little biased but I think [community service is] the most important thing we do,” Nallo said. “It defines us as a sisterhood. [The sisters of Kappa Delta] are here to support women and their own confidence. We are dedicated to making them recognize that they are beautiful.”
Keep it up Nallo and maybe there will be a few less body-haters out there.
Questions? Email Steele at sschauer@fandm.edu.