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Show EU ^ — • focuses on body image Utahn uses camera to throughout history beginning with Eve, a contextual and cultural understanding of how people are informed about their ideal the first Biblical Woman. "In each era women have been expected body image, U professor Lynette Danley said. The conference will show "Do I look their to discipline their bodies to meet the exin ei- pectations of society," Weitz said. "Now Fat?"—a film that looks at how the body them we hold women responsible for disciplin- images of gay men are jeopardized because ing their bodies, whether by covering their . of internalized homophobia and the stigma Body bodies from head to toe like the women of eating disorders hold for men because of xpose Iran, or by dieting, shaving, getting cos- the feminine nature of the diseases. "I thought it was suspect that there is so iscuss metic surgery or doing whatever else is nages needed to meet beauty norms while wear- much support for drug and alcohol abuse and HIV, but there is so little support or ath- ing almost nothing in western nations." ists in In a roundtable discussion, current and serious discussion about men's bodies," former Olympic athletes and student ath- Mathews said. "I think it's important to : for letes from the U will discuss what body show the diversity of these issues and the they image means to males and females in ath- wide variety of people affected. It's easy to iyim- letics and how steroid abuse and eating lose sight of how these things affect all of bout. disorders have begun to appear in sports. us to one degree or another." ide a The "Faith and the Body" panel will quesc.norlen@chronicle.utah.edu rlra- tion the intersection of religious beliefs ies of and the individual's body image. Panelists ;ating will speak on dress codes, Latter-day Saint body perspectives of the body and clothes as a form of social control among the Amish Keynote speaker: image, and the Mennonite faiths. Rose Weitz, professor of women and gender at iffectPresenters hope to answer the question Arizona State University irnett of who determines the attributes of beauty, What:"Eve's Daughters: A Cultural History of femininity and masculinity and who beneWomen's Bodies" ffects fits from the ideals of beauty. Donna HawxWhere: Utah Museum of Fine Arts Auditorium xrexia hurst, a presenter and training coordinator When: March 5, 7 p.m. opting for the Women's Resource Center said the shape conference will create more critical analyPanel discussions: bland sis of how people's bodies are viewed and Alt discussions will be held at the Utah Muempower those who can begin to question seum of Fine Arts Auditorium on March 6. ', p.m. the social constructs of beauty. Faith and the Body -Afeitz, The panel discussion on "Beauty Cul10 a.m. stud- tures" will look at how women and society Body Image of Male and Female Athletes view female bodies and what it means to Noon istory be a woman because of these interpretaBeauty Cultures i body tions. Incorporating a variety of perspec2 p.m. tives and identities such as race, class, ethMen and Body Image nicity and age into the discussion 4 p.m. provides Body image conference events ; Film Screening: "Do I Look Fat?" Where: Union Theatre When: March 6,6 p.m. critique social issues Carlos Mayorga STAFF WRITER As a young photographer growing up in Southern California, Cat Palmer inherited a basic Canon 35mm camera from her grandparents—a tool she would learn to use to make a statement about the ills that affect society, ranging from homelessness to women's issues. Palmer's current work advocates non-violence against women and calls for empowerment through involvement in the political process by voting and writing to elected officials. LENNIE MAHlEH/fhe Defy (itch Oinxldt An exhibit of Palmer's work, which focuses on women's issues, is on display in the Architec- Cat Palmer, whose artwork is currently on display at the ture Building as part of Women's Week at the Architecture Building, hopes her work will inspire others. The U. exhibit runs through March 14. "Her work looks you right in the eye, and you're left with a very clear emotion," said Amie first exhibit in Salt Lake City. Tullius, director of the Women's Art Center in Current political events have inspired a lot Salt Lake City where Palmer had an exhibit in of Palmer's work. One of Palmer's exhibits last December' year featured a soldier who proudly fought in "Her political stuff says, 'You know what's Iraq, but was against the war. wrong, now do something about it,'" she said. Frustration over policies in the Bush adPalmer's curiosity with photography started ministration and the War in Iraq inspired her in high school, but it wasn't until a special pho- to shoot a series that featured women in gas tography teacher gave her the freedom to pho- masks. Although the series has become one tograph what inspired her that she discovered of her more popular sets of photos, she never her passion for photography, capturing images expected people to relate to them. Palmer did of the homeless and other elements of society. the series as more of a personal project, so the "He would take us to the ghetto of Los Ange- photos' popularity shocked her. les, Venice Beach...and he would take us down "I was just so mad at that time," Palmer said. to shoot whatever we wanted to shoot," Palmer "I was just really mad with how things were said. "And that's when I first discovered my in- with the war. I was just really mad with Bush. terest in people because homeless people are I wanted to just do this piece to get my anger really intriguing to me." out on paper, and once I did that, I was back to After years of taking photography courses being my happy self." in high school and completing projects on the Palmer insists she is not a political photoghomeless, she discovered her grandparents' rapher, although her last few major exhibits darkroom, which they used to develop pictures have had political themes. In the future, Palmer of their grandchildren. might address less controversial topics, such as "They would always ask me, 'Why can't you society's expectations on women to work and just take normal pictures with normal people,'" manage domestic work. Palmer said. "They mainly took pictures of me "Last year, I wanted to make more of a stategrowing up." ment, but not necessarily a political statement, When Palmer was 16, Palmer changed her but a statement in general," she said. focus to women and has since stuck with that The popularity of her political photos has theme, making it her niche. One of Palmer's been an encouragement to speak out on conmost recognizable photos features 18 women troversial topics, Palmer said. of different races and ethnicities wearing "That encouraged me to speak out, even if it's white surgical masks on Utah's salt flats. controversial or people might hate it," she said. Her passion for photography lost momen- "It's surprising that more people enjoy it than tum in 2001 after a sudden move to Utah hate it, and more people agree with it rather with her husband, but a couple of years than disagree." later, she had the opportunity to shoot a Palmer's exhibit will run until March 14 from series of cows, which inspired her to re- 8 a.m. to 5 pjn. in the Bailey Exhibition Hall. turn to photography. In 2004, she held her c.may orga@chronicle.utah.edu Center educates about pregnancy Tayler Covington STAFF WRITER Education is a powerful tool when making choices about a pregnancy, said Tamara Anderson, the executive director of the Pregnancy Resource Center in Salt Lake City. "We want women empowered with information and the correct, truthful information," Anderson said. "There's a lot of empowerment that comes from being able to make a very informed choice, not just a partially informed choice." The Pregnancy Resource Center provides support for people unprepared for pregnancy and educates them about options when it comes to having a child. The center was founded in 1985 by two couples and since then has served more than 15,000 clients free of charge. It offers free services including options counseling, free pregnancy testing, adoption assistance and is set to offer ultrasounds in the near future. Maternity clothes, diapers and other parenting necessities are donated to the center and are available for those who need them. Jacquie Markowski, who works in client services, said the center encourages the pregnant women it serves. "Some of the clients we see don't have a support system," Markowski said. "They don't have parents or friends or someone who really understands what they're going through at that time." Anderson said a lot of the conversations they have at the center might be uncomfortable for a young woman to have with a friend or even a family member. "We're a safe place," she said. "We're confidential. It's not going anywhere else, and we talk openly about it every day. It's part of what we do here, so it's very easy for them to ask the quesILLUSTRATION BY THOMAS NELSON/ftr toilf Utah Chrenldt tionS thev need to ask or get the support they need." Support is not only offered during the decision-making period. If a woman chooses to have an abortion, post-abortion education and counseling are provided to both men and women. Markowski said that an abortion not only affects the woman who received it, but everyone around her, including her boyfriend or husband. "We run (into) small groups of men and women who have had an abortion and have now come on the other side of it knowing that something happened," Markowski said. "There's life before abortion, and life has somehow changed after abortion. A lot of the symptoms after abortion are very similar to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder." The facilitators for the counseling have also gone through an abortion. Anderson and Markowski said that the facilitators understand what the client is going through, because they've gone through it themselves. If a client chooses to carry her baby to term, the Pregnancy Resource Center provides assistance in parenting needs. Cribs, formula, diapers, baby clothes, maternity clothes and other items are given to clients who need assistance. Community members donate items. Volunteers then sort the items into categories, such as age groups. Clients can receive parenting support free of charge for as long as they need to. "We do not have any time limits on support whatsoever," Anderson said. "Our doors and arms are always open." Parenting and abortion aren't the only choices a woman has. The Pregnancy Resource Center also promotes adoption. "Most people rum awayfrom(adoption) out of ignorance because they don't know what adoption has to offer today" Markowski said She said that a woman chooses a pathway through the adoption plan and can change her mind anytime through her pregnancy, even after the baby is born. "We don't provide who they're going to go through an adoption with," Anderson said. "We always give three or more referrals. We want them to make that choice for themselves, but we'll be here to assist." Anderson said the center provides support for clients no matter the situation. "We're the place that's going to offer that unconditional safety net to allow that girl to fall if she needs to fall and help her pick back up and be able to go out and have a healthy lifestyle," she said. tcovington@cfironicle.utah.edu |