A Must-Read

Wow. Thank you, Ashley Judd.

As if in direct response to last month’s panel on binge drinking, actress Ashley Judd, takes a moment to reflect on the vitriol that surfaced in March regarding her physical appearance. On our panel, we explored the self-hatred rampant amongst young women, and how binge drinking can become a means of escaping those plaguing feelings in order to participate in “accepted” society. Last month, Ms. Judd was lambasted for having a “puffy face” both by social media and “legitimate” news outlets. In her thoughtful, conscientious and empowered response she breaks through the rhetoric and asks women (and men) to join in a new kind of conversation. Rather than lean lazily into the patriarchy of our culture and let attitudes shape our exchanges, she encourages us to find real and personal meaning in who we are. An elegant writer and gifted communicator, Ms. Judd has transformed her personal situation into a teachable moment. If that is not grace, what is?