FRIDAY 5: Seventeen Magazine Issues Treaty

In May, we told you about middle school student Julia Bluhm, who started a petition through Change.org, asking Seventeen Magazine “to commit to printing one unaltered — real — photo spread per month. I want to see regular girls that look like me in a magazine that’s supposed to be for me.”

Her petition went viral. According to The New York Times, Julia had collected 84,168 signature by this past Tuesday. And it made a difference.

This week, the editors of the teen fashion magazine signed the Body Peace Treaty, promising to “never change girls’ body or face shapes” (they say they “Never have, never will”) — and to use images of “real girls and models who are healthy.”

Here’s what we love about this story:

ONE: It shows that one person — even a teenage girl — can help change the world. And Julia knows she made a difference: “This is a huge victory, and I’m so unbelievably happy,” she wrote on her petition page.

TWO: It puts pressure on other media. We would love more magazines, websites and advertisers to be more responsible about how they represent girls and women in the media. That’s why we love New Moon Girls’ Girl-Caught campaign. Read more about how you can get involved.

THREE: It demonstrates the power of petitions. A well-crafted petition, coupled with signatures of passionate supporters, can create change…and fast. Click here to find out how to start one of your own.

FOUR: It encourages other girls to speak up. We love that Seventeen encouraged readers to raise their voices: “If something in the magazine confuses you or makes you feel bad, we want to hear about it,” wrote editor-in-chief Ann Shoket in the treaty.

FIVE: It reminds girls to be healthy. Not only do images of real girls encourage readers to have better body images, but Seventeen’s treaty also pledged to help teens “…make the best choices for your body — foods that fuel you, exercise that energizes you — so you can feel your absolute best each day.”  Looking to start some healthy habits? At Heart of Gold, we provide expert advice on our Explore (Your) Best Self channel.

Does Seventeen Magazine’s treaty change how you feel about the magazine?