Operation Beautiful aims to transform perceptions of body image

This week colorful Post-it notes were scattered throughout the campus of Utah State University. But the purpose of these notes was not to remind students of their daily tasks.

The notes were placed in public places by the women of the Epsilon chapter of the Theta Nu Xi Multicultural Sorority at Utah State as part of Operation Beautiful. The notes had encouraging messages written on them in an effort to boost self-esteem.

“Through Operation Beautiful we can encourage a positive body image in ourselves and others,” wrote Ami Meite, the social chair and public relations officer for the sorority. “We truly believe that your beauty comes from the inside and that people’s unique qualities should be valued and celebrated.”

Caitlin Boyle, who lives in Charlotte, N.C., started Operation Beautiful in June 2009 by placing a Post-it note on the mirror of a public restroom with the simple message “you are beautiful.” She uploaded a photo of the note to her blog, and since then the movement has spread across the nation.

“It’s all to emphasize true beauty and loving yourself,” said Sonina Hernandez, a member of Theta Nu Xi. “Since nowadays social media and magazines often corrupt body image and self-esteem.”

During the day on Tuesday in the Taggart Student Center International Lounge, there was a display of examples of Post-it notes and a pledge for people to sign, promising to end negative self-talk. Erin Coleman, who visited the display, said there are always people who think they aren't good enough.

“Each step helps,” she said. “Sometimes little things are big things.”

The main event took place on Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the TSC Auditorium. It began with a showing of “Killing Us Softly,” a documentary about women’s body image issues. The film was followed by a panel lead by members from the sorority and faculty member Robin Parent. The panel discussed the documentary and answered audience questions.

Hernandez said this is the second time Theta Nu Xi has hosted an Operation Beautiful event at Utah State. In order to expand the scale of the event it partnered with the Center for Women and Gender.

"Operation Beautiful was originally a grassroots movement," she said. "We wanted to bring it to the entire university."  

Parent, who is also a member of Theta Nu Xi, is working to obtain a certificate in women and gender studies. She said compliments are often geared toward physical attributes rather than individual characteristics.

“It reminds us to compliment in ways other than just image,” she said.

And according to Parent, that's exactly what Operation Beautiful does. The Post-it notes remind people that beauty isn't all about body image.

“Where did the idea of beauty come from?” Parent said. “Beauty comes in multiple packages.”

McCarty Hatfield, Tricia Olson, Rhys Stephens, Brooke Larsen and Landon Graham contributed to this article.