Real Women, Real Bodies (RWRB) is a student organization committed to promoting and supporting positive body image here at the University of Wyoming.
“We started off about 5 years ago founded by Sydney Stein, who was concerned about the representation of women in media,” Julian Dickie, president of the organization, said.
Every semester they hold various events and photo campaigns which all work toward the promotion of body love.
“So, a big component of our RSO is that we have photo campaigns every semester,” said Dickie. “Our first photo campaign portrayed nude female volunteer students on campus, just to accurately represent female bodies. Since then we’ve continued it every semester and we have emphasized on spreading body positivity.”
Another big event they organized this year was the concert and panel discussion.
“The concert and panel discussion focused on the representation of females and LGBTQI+ body representation in music,” Dickie said. “We had bands from Denver come here and talk about their experience with music and representation and how they express themselves with music in the panel discussion. Later on, we were able to hear their music and see what representation really looked like in person.”
They don’t only work to promote their cause at the university but all around town. Recently they visited the junior high here in Laramie to talk about their goals.
“They have a club that consists of just girls who get together and talk about the issues that they may be having, similar to a support group,” said Dickie,” We were able to visit them and talk about our journey through body image and how it was for us when we were their age and shed some light on some of the issues that they may be having just to give them proof that it gets better.”
RWRB also talked about how they have noticed slow but steady change in the perspective of body image here in Laramie
“We have seen more empowering movies, for example, the recent release of Black Panther,” Logan Lichtenheld, the vice-president said. “It is so well done with representation. We are slowing shifting forward but still, we are in Wyoming which is a conservative area. I, as a minority, have experienced staring from people, because I do look different than everybody else, but it is not something that I worry about. This is me I can’t change who I am.”
Dickie said, “I think I have seen more representation in the media. There is a lot of movement going on and just making yourself and the movement more visible. I think more people are embracing who they are and expressing themselves unapologetically. I think it’s a good shift that we have seen in the general media.”
For their photo campaign this semester they are of continuing with the theme of self-expression in art and music.
“Our theme for this year’s photo campaign is dance,” Lichtenheld said. “So you would pose in your favorite dance step/ pose and the photo would have a lyric from your favorite song that represents who you are. It’s going to take place on May 3 from 7-9 p.m. at the Buchanan Dance Studio.”
They welcome all students to come join their general meeting on Thursdays at the Union, Room 202 at 7 p.m. Everyone is free to participate in all their campaigns and movements.
“If you have a message to convey utilize our campaigns,” said Dickie. “Even outside of the RSO just being more supportive of anyone in your life like noticing someone for their unconventional beauty and complimenting them on it can go a long way.”
Dickie said RWRB maintains the goal of helping people create a support system.
“Everyone has a body and a perception of themselves,” Dickie said. “In today’s time, everyone has the potential to struggle with body image so RWRB is for everyone regardless of their gender.”
