Alumna’s project spurs discussion on perceptions, portrayal of female beauty

A December 2011 UW-Green Bay grad’s efforts to shatter the notion of the “ideal” female appearance and shed light on how women are portrayed in the media were featured in a weekend story in the Press-Gazette. Kayla Schroeder, who earned her degrees in Biology and Design Arts, gave her first talk on the perception and portrayal issues at the Boys & Girls Club of Green Bay, prompting six girls to volunteer as photo subjects. Photos of the girls were displayed during a May 5 event and the girls posted comments — initially more critical of their own pics, versus those of peers — using sticky notes. More girls volunteered for a second shooting to further the discussion, and photos from both shoots will be on display and open for comments beginning at 6 p.m. today (Wednesday) at Harmony Café, 1660 W. Mason St. “My hope is that the girls will gain a new outlook on their beauty and that this project will have a persistent effect on their self-confidence,” Schroeder said. Full story.