Stronger Than Stereotypes

Overcoming stereotypes, body ideals and stigmas is no easy task, but the women who challenge social norms of beauty and strength are some of the strongest.

“She looks like a man.” “She’s too small to play that sport.” “She’s too heavy. How is she an athlete?” “Girls shouldn’t be aggressive.”

These are all common things athletic women hear throughout their lives. Whether the comments are directed at them or not, these words have a lasting impression on women of all shapes, sizes and ages. They affect how women perceive themselves and others.

Hayley Robb, a personal trainer and student at Western Kentucky University, motivates herself and others by embracing imperfection and promoting the saying “strong not skinny.” "My mission statement is just to find strength in everything that I do and to be confident no matter my gender or anything, just to be confident in my own skin," Robb said.

Some women find their strength among other women like Haley Braxton who is a member of the WKU women’s rugby team.

"It's a really inclusive sport and I feel strong being a part of this team, because it's really encouraging," Braxton said.