By Timehin Adegbeye
We are still walking on clouds from the positive feedback we received from the #redefiningbeauty event. The best thing about the event was the feeling of comradery and shared emotions in the room. Many of our guests have been writing of their experiences from the event. Here’s one by the awesome Timehin Adegbeye…..you can read this and much more fabness on her blog here
I know from my #AWW14 experience that when women have a safe, affirming space to share their stories, it can be a powerful thing. Yesterday was no different. It was incredibly uplifting to hear women who I admire and respect speak about struggles and triumphs that resonated deeply with me. There was laughter and crying, and the warmth and openness felt like a long drink of water when you didn’t even realise how thirsty you were.
The discussions touched on overcompensating for the lack of beauty (or the presence of it in excess, as exemplified by Lola Maja’s moving story), the confusing transition from girlish innocence to womanly responsibility – responsibility for your own body as well as for men’s responses to it, weight, the ‘natural’ intrusiveness of Nigerian society when it comes to women and their appearance, the messages sent by the media about perfection and unattainable standards of beauty (you know Lupita came up), and most importantly for me, the struggle to protect or at least insulate our children from the powerful influences that shape popular perceptions of beauty and almost invariably leave them feeling inadequate.
Hosted by Glory, with Wana Udobang (OAP), Jadesola Osiberu (Director and Producer), Lola Maja (make-up guru) and Oreka Godis (OAP) on the panel, the event also included spoken word by Titilope Shonuga (she gets my life. Lord. That woman gets my whole entire life!) and an acoustic session by Omolara. It was the most uplifting experience I’d had in a very long time (and I’d just been to church that morning, smh). I’m so glad I got off my butt and went. I met some amazing new women, reconnected with old friends I hadn’t seen in years, and laughed about pregnancy, motherhood, the ridiculous cost of living in Lagos, the price of small chops, the new trend of wedding guests paying for professional makeovers (I didn’t even know this was a thing!)… It was amazing.
Yesterday started off on the shittiest of shitty notes, but there’s nothing like sisterhood to take all of the blues away. And (like I told Glory after the event), you can bet I’m going to turn up at the next one with like six of my girlfriends, going ‘yaaaaaaassss! Get your life, girl!
1 Comment
Waoh,that means i missed a whole lot,nice one.And welldone miss Glory and Wanawana,so love wana i know she inspires and she actually directed me here.More you girls continue to be a source of inspiration.And may the writer experience recovery in every sense of the word
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