Perfect the Way I Am – 11 Townships women reclaim their bodies through photography
Avante Women’s Centre and Townshippers’ Association recently collaborated on a unique photo project intended to help women address their insecurities, better recognize the influence that social standards have on them, and begin the process of reclaiming – and loving – their real, perfect bodies. Inspired by the Perfect the Way They Are photo project organized by La Passerelle Women’s Centre in Cookshire in early 2019, the Perfect the Way I Am photo project offered local Englishspeaking women an opportunity to embark on a journey towards greater acceptance of their own bodies.
Eleven women of different ages joined in this project, participating in three weekly workshops that took place during the month of September. Through a variety of group discussions and activities, these women were asked to closely examine their own feelings and insecurities with regards to their bodies, to recognize past and present social standards faced by women and, finally, to plan a personalized photoshoot experience that would help them face their insecurities and move forward in their own journeys. The workshops were more than just work – they included laughter, some tears, and many incredible moments of connection that helped the participants realize how similar they all really are, and how similarly they often feel, despite their different appearances.
Michelle Lepitre, who was a participant in La Passerelle’s project earlier in the year and is one of the group facilitators for the project at Avante, said that the project was a truly emotional, yet uplifting experience. “It was a beautiful gift to work with these brave women and learn more about their stories. They are all wonderful, strong, and beautiful individuals, and I am so proud of them for the time and effort they put into this project. As a group, we developed a strong bond between the first and last workshops. I think, more than anything else, that connection is the thing that has makes this project so powerful – when we realized that we aren’t alone in how we feel, it gave us the strength and the courage to try to address the insecurities we’ve been hiding away.”
Maggie Severs worked with Michelle to assist in facilitating the Perfect the Way I Am workshops. “I could not pass up the opportunity to also involve myself as a participant, though,” Maggie said. “I don’t think that it is a stretch to say that most, if not all, of us are touched by feelings of insecurity and influenced by society’s standard of beauty. For me, the process of discussion and reflection was incredibly empowering. I started the process feeling isolated by my insecurities and finished feeling surrounded by support and understanding.”
The incredible photos from this photo project will be on display during the Perfect the Way You Are women’s event, which will take place at the Centre Communautaire de Magog on Saturday, November 9, 2019. At 2 p.m., the group organizers will introduce the photo project and talk briefly about its purpose and its impact. At 2:30 p.m., the photos and accompanying texts will be unveiled*. The event is open to all and is free of charge. To learn more about this project or the Perfect the Way You Are women’s event, contact Maggie Severs at 450-242-4421 or msevers@townshippers.org, or Michelle Lepitre at 819-566571 or ml@townshippers.org.
*Please note that this photo exhibit is an art exhibit that will feature photos of real human bodies; some works may include partial or total nudity, or address topics that may be considered sensitive to some. If this concerns you, you are encouraged to speak with one of the organizers before attending.
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