The annual Swimsuit edition of Sports Illustrated just made history. The 58-year-old magazine featured a model boldly showing off her cesarean section scar in the pages of the latest issue. It marks the very first time a C-section scar has been showcased in the magazine.
It's a pretty incredible moment, not just for models whose careers essentially allow their bodies to be highly scrutinized but for moms everywhere.
The magazine enlisted Chelsea Hirschhorn, CEO of the parenting brand Frida, to help with the look.
The idea was to attempt to show how birth and motherhood can show up on women's bodies. In this case, by showing a C-section scar, the images help to normalize various kinds of birth.
But the publication didn't just stop at the photo spread. It also launched a C-section recovery line, which it says aims to empower women who've recovered from this type of birth.
The model seen in the historic issue is Kelly Hughes. She spoke about her body, telling Allure that the scar has led to some big insecurities.
"It took time to heal physically and mentally and embrace all that I had gone through and the many changes to my body to find the strength in it," she revealed. "It wasn't until I embraced my scar that I experienced the power in it."
Of course, the issue is bound to help more women feel similarly. Kelly acknowledged how important these types of images are and says she's really grateful for brands that lift up women and mothers in this way.
"This was so much more than a photo shoot to me," she said.
"There is an incredible shift happening in our society today with inclusivity," Kelly continued. "To be given this opportunity to tell my story, [I can] hopefully encourage women to be empowered."
