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by Reena Daruwalla, guest writer for Nancy Hayssen.com

Being a trained Indian Classical singer myself (as well as a big girl), I was doubly interested in reading about actress/singer Jill Scott posing nude for a magazine photo shoot. I read that this was her way of making a point on behalf of big women everywhere. I was immediately reminded of Nancy baring all for a similar cause.

Jill Scott has been quoted as having said “Nobody ever celebrates women whose bodies are bigger than a size 8. But here I am, naked in a magazine at size 16. I hope that I can be an inspiration to all women. We’re all beautiful, each and every one of us.” Hear! Hear!

She went on to say after the shoot, which was in January, (the pictures were to be for the May issue of Allure magazine) “I did a nude photo shoot two days ago for Allure, which I loved. It was so empowering and after it was all done, I was congratulated by staff members of Allure for breaking the mold.”

Nancy did her shoot to show women that they can be sexy at any size, inferring that stick thin models look neither healthy nor attractive. She referred to a particular picture of an emaciated model who looked more like a starvation or mal-nourishment victim than a model. Women like Nancy and Jill Scott give women everywhere inspiration and the self confidence to be happy in their own skin.

I think it takes tremendous courage to pose nude for what you believe in, and invariably it creates controversy. In matters such as this, controversy is good, because it creates debate, discussion, deliberation on subjects that are important.

It makes more women realize the potential of beauty within themselves and makes them realize that they don’t have to be some unattainable size in order to be beautiful. Good health of mind, body and spirit are goals of more value than any other, and we all need to realize that.