Updated: Feb. 15, 2023
Originally Published: Feb. 15, 2023
Recently, I attended a meeting designed for women in public service. The gathering took place in an elegantly historic Town Hall, with a lovely view of a quintessential New England Town Common. The audience was predominantly composed of women working in government, like myself, though I participated as an elected official rather than an employee. The agenda featured a discussion on cultivating positive habits, followed by two inspiring speakers—one a judge and the other a retired school administrator. Both were fantastic, sharing their journeys of breaking barriers, the struggles of balancing work and motherhood, and navigating their careers amidst various challenges.
However, the initial discussion fell flat. While encouraging better habits is a worthy topic, the focus was exclusively on weight control and dieting. At a gathering of professional women, I anticipated discussions about boosting workplace efficiency, effective time management, and strategies for thriving in a male-dominated environment. Instead, we were served up advice on sleeping in gym clothes and packing half our meals to go. They suggested finding workout buddies and using apps to track our food intake, even discussing dry shampoo to save time on hair care. Though I believe their intentions were well-meaning, it felt like a monumental misstep.
It struck me that if this meeting had been filled with men, their conversation would not have revolved around dieting. They wouldn’t fret over how they looked in a particular outfit or how to fit in a workout. Instead, they would likely focus on tackling complex projects, pursuing promotions, and strategizing for success. They would probably order that cheeseburger without a second thought.
I’ve mulled over my feelings about this for some time. I’ve started writing about it multiple times but hesitated—it’s a delicate issue. Yet, I feel compelled to speak up. This ties into my work on body positivity and vulnerability, especially as I navigate being the sole woman on a three-member elected board. It’s crucial for us as women to elevate our discussions and change how we communicate. In a room full of capable women, the conversation turned to dieting. With no men in sight to interrupt or dominate the dialogue, why were we talking about body image?
We absolutely can do better. We deserve more than this.
It’s time for a collective awakening. We must stop wasting our chances for meaningful connections when we gather. No more shaming one another based on weight or appearance. We need to break free from the internalized sexism that suggests successful women must conform to an ideal body type or that strong women are merely labeled as bossy. Instead of judging each other for our choices, let’s support one another, embrace vulnerability, and become role models for future generations. That starts with demonstrating leadership, advancing our careers, and being unapologetically ourselves.
I’m reclaiming my power. I hope you’ll stand with me.
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Summary:
The article discusses a recent meeting for women in government that fell short by focusing on diet culture rather than empowering discussions about professional growth and workplace habits. The author reflects on the need for women to shift their conversations away from body image and dieting, advocating for a supportive environment that fosters leadership and authenticity instead.
Keyphrase: Diet Culture in the Workplace
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