Gautama Buddha, or simply the Buddha, was a sage on whose teachings Buddhism was founded.

Among other reasons, part of the power and the magnitude of the popularity of following Buddhism is that since the beginning of time man is on an endless journey to find happiness in his life. While this teaching is primarily viewed as an Eastern religion it’s consistent with a Western belief in the United States Constitution that Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness are the three unalienable rights given to all human beings by their Creator, and for which governments are created to protect.

So, that being the case, why is the gorgeous, shapely model Ashley Graham receiving so much grief and often finding herself embroiled in controversy regarding her right to pursue happiness and display a plus size shape in her modeling career?

In a controversy the instant we feel anger we have already ceased striving for the truth, and have begun striving for ourselves.…….Buddha

The global news source CBS news, reported on the story. “A plus-sized controversy is flaring over the initial refusal by ABC and Fox to run an ad for lingerie from Lane Bryant, the maker of clothes for plus-sized women.

The ad features plus-sized model Ashley Graham.

At first, ABC wouldn’t air it on “Dancing with the Stars,” and Fox refused to show it on “American Idol.”

Now, both are apparently going to broadcast it — but only during the later portions of the shows, outside the time considered too early to run racy material.

Charges, counter-charges and denials have been flying in all directions, with Lane Bryant claiming that a double standard is being applied, since commercials for Victoria’s Secret (featuring thinner models in similarly skimpy attire) do run in earlier time slots.”

In 2010 the Lane Bryant ad controversy brought her to the forefront of media’s attention. The “incriminated” commercial was viewed over 800.000 times on YouTube and covered in numerous newspapers (NY Post, Huffington Post, Buzzfeed…). Already an accomplished speaker, she has been invited to  many talk shows including the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Entertainment Tonight and CBS News and spoke on NPR about plus size modeling.

Have you heard of Ashley Graham? Models are constantly competing for contracts, endorsements and media attention and this is one Fem Competitor that deserves notice.

Let’s have Ashley speak for herself as she does at her site ashleygraham.com.

“Ashley Graham was born in 1987 in Lincoln, Nebraska. She was discovered in a mall and started modelling at the age of 12.  In her flourishing career, she has done everything from editorial, catalogue, runway, commercials, tv/movie and is well-known for her work as a lingerie model for the plus-size clothing retailer Lane Bryant, for which she starred in a 2010 commercial that was banned from television and caused a lot of media attention. Ashley was also featured on two gigantic billboards of that same brand on Time Square and 34th street in New York City in December of 2012

Ashley has been featured in fashion magazines such as Vogue, Glamour, O Magazine and Latina. In addition, she has appeared regularly in several Marina Rinaldi campaigns and in two iconic Levi’s campaigns: The Boyfriend Collection 2010 and the Curve ID SS 11.”

That’s a fine starting place but as we know in life, its one thing to sing the praises of our brand but it is far more admired when others are expressing their appreciation for who you are.

What are others saying about Ashley?

Ashley received a reality star seal of approval when Khloe Kardashian took to her new website, khloewithak.com, to write an ode singing the body advocate’s praises,

“I think Ashley is breathtakingly beautiful, but what really catches my eye is the confidence that she exudes,” the 31-year-old Keeping Up With the Kardashians cast member wrote. “I truly believe that beauty comes in so many shapes and sizes, it’s not one-size-fits-all. Being a woman and being human means that we are all unique (and that can mean having curves and something to hold on to).” She added that seeing Ashley receive so much media attention recently has given Khloe a confidence boost and makes her feel good to have curves.

That my friends is high praise indeed.

Here is a nice video that features plus sized couples: http://www.ashleygraham.com/videos-1/

A fun site popsugar.com is impressed with Ashley as well. “If you have any doubt that strong is sexy — and confidence is a trait you can strut at any size — then look no further than Ashley Graham. The plus-size model has been the star of major body-positive campaigns, including the SwimsuitsForAll ad that was touted as the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue‘s first appearance of a plus-size model as well Lane Bryant’s #ImNoAngel and #PlusIsEqual campaigns, championing curves and helping others embrace their body shapes.

While we can’t get enough of her glamorous ads and fashion show appearances, we love how she lets us into her dedicated fitness routine (through inspiring gym selfies and videos of her badass workouts) even more.”

I’m really starting to feel the love for Ashley around the globe.

If three is a crowd, that’s a fantastic thing when the birds of a feather that you flock together with are giants in their industries. Here is what the respected group today.com had to say with a smile about Ashley. “Ashley Graham is living proof that sexy doesn’t have to mean skinny — the plus-size fashion model recently strutted down the runway in her very own lingerie line for New York Fashion Week.”

We mentioned Ashley’s hometown is Lincoln, Nebraska, home of the legendary Cornhuskers college football team. Let’s have a brief visit.

Lincoln is the capital of the State of Nebraska and the second-most populous city in Nebraska. Lincoln is located in the southeastern part of Nebraska. Her population in 2014 was estimated at 272,996.

Some of this writer’s best childhood memories occurred when our family would travel from the San Francisco Bay Area by car to Providence Rhode Island to visit relatives. This memorable journey would take us past the Lincoln Memorial football stadium, located on campus that we could see from the Interstate 80 and 180 connection. It was exciting.

There are plenty of things to do in Lincoln besides going to fantastic Husker football games. I love everything about the Huskers including their tunnel walk. Having played four years of high school football, I can only imagine how exciting it must be for an 18 year to put that storied Nebraska uniform on for the first time. Please enjoy video of their 2015 tunnel walk before playing BYU. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M51PZsnAzDQ

It’s easy to fall magically asleep in Husker land but this story of course is about Ashley and the village that raised her.

The enjoyable site planetware.com shares why it’s great to visit Ashley’s community. “As the capital of Nebraska, Lincoln is home to a wealth of museums and cultural attractions, but it is also a university city with an active and vibrant atmosphere.

Visitors will find no shortage of things to do, regardless of their interests.

In the city center is the Historic Haymarket District, an interesting area with shops, galleries, and restaurants, popular with both locals and tourists. The area around the capitol building has a number of important sites, including the Governor’s Residence. On the University of Nebraska campus, conveniently located in the heart of the city, are the Sheldon Museum of Art and the University of Nebraska State Museum. Outside the city center, but still within easy driving distance, some unique attractions are worth checking out, from the Speed Museum to the Quilt Museum.”

Sounds good.

When a thing ceases to be a subject of controversy, it ceases to be a subject of interest……William Hazlitt

Despite the controversy surrounding gorgeous shapely women, there is good news for Ashley Graham. On December 23, 2015, the widely viewed huffingtonpost.com exudes, “Congratulations are in order for model Ashley Graham, who is ending 2015 on just as high a note as she started it.

The stunning model is one of  ABC’s “The Year: 2015” breakout stars, thanks in part to her history-making Swimsuits for All ad that ran in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue back in February 2015. “The Year,” which aired on December 22, reviews the memorable, iconic moments in news and pop culture over the past twelve months.”

The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.….Martin Luther King, Jr.

Wow, more praise for Ashley.

From this writer’s viewpoint, there are two issues that come to the fore regarding plus sized models.

The first is an erotic one. Ads showing stealth, thin models dominate the landscape so much, it is as though no one takes a second look at them because they are so much the norm and so similiar.

They blend in like comfortable, sensuous and mellow wallpaper.

The challenge with plus sized models is that with those super sexy curves spilling over the same bikinis that the slender girls wear, it does attract more attention and can get the male blood flowing.

See what I mean? Breakfast anyone?

Maybe.

The other, in all fairness, is a health issue. Is it wise to send a message to young girls that it’s okay to carry a little more weight knowing the very real and devastating effects of diabetes? You can get away with carrying those beautiful curves when you are young but once you reach middle age and the metabolism slows down, it can be life threatening.

What is the point to Ashley’s story?

It’s in the constitution in the West. It’s in the Buddhist teachings from the East.

Ashley has the right to pursue what makes her happy. Who are we to tell her to do differently?

I can say, with a little bit of guilt regarding the health aspect; I love to look at shapely, curvy women. Can’t get enough of them. They are gorgeous, super sexy and at least for me, provided an unforgettable “girlfriend experience” when I was a teen.

At Femcompetitor Magazine we wish Ashley and other plus sized models great success in marketing their super sexy and sensual careers.

Their pursuit of happiness is making a lot of us extremely happy.

~ ~ ~

Sources: brainyquote.com, Wikipedia, fciwomenswrestling2.com, FCI Elite Competitor, photos thank you Wikimedia Commons.

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/lingerie-ads-nixed-due-to-plus-sized-model/

http://www.aboutbuddha.org/

http://www.ashleygraham.com/about/

http://www.ashleygraham.com/videos-1/

http://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/size-16-model-ashley-graham-6451232

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-3265025/Khloe-Kardashian-praises-stunning-plus-size-model-Ashley-Graham-posting-saucy-lingerie-snap.html

http://www.popsugar.com/fitness/Ashley-Graham-Plus-Size-Model-Fitness-38426793#photo-38426793 

http://www.today.com/series/love-your-body/plus-size-model-ashley-grahams-lingerie-line-shows-sexy-doesnt-t44916

http://www.ashleygrahamcollections.com/en/holiday2015

http://www.eonline.com/news/694512/plus-size-model-ashley-graham-reacts-to-fat-shaming-youtube-star-nicole-arbour-the-subject-matter-is-disgusting

https://www.facebook.com/theashleygraham

http://www.people.com/article/ashley-graham-good-morning-america-body-positivity

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/ashley-graham-the-year_567ad0d8e4b06fa6887f9969

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Skyline_of_Downtown_Lincoln,_Nebraska,_USA_(2015).jpg#/media/File:Skyline_of_Downtown_Lincoln,_Nebraska,_USA_(2015).jpg

http://www.planetware.com/tourist-attractions-/lincoln-us-ne-l.htm