This Student Quit Her Job After Her Boss Told Her She Didn't Fit The Model Criteria

It's unbelievable how much body shaming is still out there, and it attacks people of all sizes. Average-sized people are being called fat and skinny people are being told they are starving themselves. You just can't seem to win. The only thing you really can do is love yourself, know that the body you have is amazing and don't let anyone tell you any different. That's exactly what one girl did.

Sherene Zarrabi is a university student in Stillwater, Oklahoma.

In September of 2015, she started working at a Dainty Hooligan retail store. In October, she began posting photos of herself in outfits from the store's clothes to Instagram. 

There never was a problem with the photos she posted...

...until recently when she received an email from the store's CEO. 

"Hello,

"Something I want to make sure you keep in mind. I want size small, the stereotypical 'model' to model our clothes. Please use our pictures of our models if Stillwater store can't find someone who would be considered 'model material.' This is not to put anyone down but to communicate expectations of presenting our brand. Don't take it personal, all I ask for is really good representation. In exchange for the freedom, I ask you to take down all pictures of anyone that doesn't fit the criteria.


Thanks,


Jessica"

Sherene had a beautiful response.

"I just want to start by saying this: I am fully comfortable with who I am and the way I look. I have recently been attacked and discriminated against by the owner of Dainty Hooligan. She went on our stores Instagram and deleted all of the pictures where I was modeling the clothing and then sent this email to my manager. I do not want to [represent] or support a business that has such archaic values and beliefs. THIS is the reason young girls have body image issues. This is disgusting. I quit immediately and I suggest that my friends and family do not support Dainty Hooligan. Love yourself, no matter what you look like. ❤"


Her post got a lot of attention online, and it certainly got a response from her previous employer. 

After the email, Sherene was asked to go on air for an interview.

She received an apology from Jessica, the owner of Dainty Hooligan. "She said after putting herself in my shoes, she knows how I must've felt. I appreciate that she took the time to reach out to me. But it doesn't change what she originally said in her interviews. She said some nasty, disgusting things about me. I haven't bashed Jessica in any way. I have no ill feelings toward her or Dainty Hooligan, I will just choose to take my business elsewhere from now on." Sherene may have stood up for herself, but now she's standing up for the other girls who work at the store.

"Also, if you are one of the people harassing the girls who work in the Stillwater Dainty Hooligan, stop."

"They had nothing to do with this situation. If you feel like you need to talk about it, message me and we can talk! I'm trying my hardest to respond to every message. Just don't take it out on those poor girls. I do not have any negative feelings toward them."

Ever since she made the Facebook post, she has been given support and encouragement. 

"Every text, phone call, FaceTime, friend request, Facebook message, and share is so much appreciated! I overheard my 9 year old sister saying earlier that every person is beautiful, no matter what size they are. It's sad when a child has a bigger heart than a middle-aged woman. As I said in my previous post, love yourself! If anybody tries to bring you down, it's because they are dissatisfied with themselves."

Sherene just showed how to take down a body shamer.

You win when you don't sink to their level and when you can still stand up for yourself. Only you can make yourself feel bad, so don't let the haters try and ruin your style. There will always be more people lifting you up than those trying to drag you down.

Main image via Facebook / Sherene Marie Zarrabi


Collage image via Instagram / @sherenemarie