The University of Alabama’s Women and Gender Resource Center presents an event called “Our Bodies, Our Stories” on Wednesday, Feb. 22. This program is part of a series of events taking place on campus this week for “UA Body Appreciation Week.”

The event features a panel of four women who will share their stories in relation to body image. The four women consist of two current graduate students, Diamond Forde and MK Foster, one former graduate student, Cassidy Ellis, and a coordinator from the Women and Gender Resource center, Paige Miller.

“They’ll get to hear from real people on our campus or that have been on our campus,” Miller said.

The panel will begin the program by showing an episode of a TV show called “My Big Fat Fabulous Life.” The TV show stars Whitney Thore, an advocate for body positivity.

After the episode, the panel of women will discuss the show and share their own stories through writings, poetry and more. Miller said the panelists are hoping to give audience members an opportunity to hear from various people of various sizes. The goal is to allow students to connect with the panelists and their image. 

“The whole week’s events are centered around body positivity, so we want to emphasize that and encourage people to have a positive view on body image,” Miller said.

Students have been interested in the issues that body image can create, which is why the Women and Gender Resource Center is looking forward to hosting this event on campus.

“I think it will be beneficial for girls on campus because it lets them know that everyone has struggled with body image at some point in their life,” said Erica McNaughton, a junior majoring in accounting who plans on attending the event. 

McNaughton said she believes it is important to address body image issues early because serious health implications could occur in the long run.

Although this event will not reach everyone who struggles with body image, the Women and Gender Resource Center is hoping to spread the word about body positivity through the panel of women and the other events on campus.

Other events taking place this week include a class on supplements, a cooking demo and a fashion show. More information about these events can be found online at wellness.ua.edu.

“Our Bodies, Our Stories” will be held in Gorgas Library in room 205 at 6 p.m. The event is free to the public, and everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend.