In addition to their weekly discussions with EDAP staff and community mentors, the energetic teens had the opportunity to meet with executives from the retail, advertising and modeling industries to voice their concerns about the relationship between advertising and body image. 

As one participant explained, "...More diverse models need to be used in ads.  Different sizes, shapes, colors, cultures.  It would make us feel much better about ourselves if we saw people like us looking back at us from the ads". 

At one event, held at the Seattle Times, participants learned about the process involved in the selection of models for advertising campaigns, what goes into the development of retail displays, and industry trade secrets, such as the "airbrushing" of model's photographs to achieve the unattainable beauty standard found in today's popular teen and fashion magazines. 

As a part of their GO GIRLS! curriculum, the teens, students at Garfield, Juanita, Highline and Redmond high schools, learned how to develop effective letters and presentations and immediately put their new skills to work. 

They pushed for changes and captured the attention of retail decision makers and the public alike. 

One group of participants produced an awareness video for their peers, which included tips to resist thin hype advertising. 

Others met with executives at Nordstsrom and the Bon Marche and asked that they vary the sizes of mannequins used in their young women's departments.  "The Bon" graciously agreed and now displays mannequins with larger-sized torsos in their popular teen department, "The Cube".  (While thankful for the chance to meet with Nordstrom reps, the retail giant has failed to respond to their request.) 

The teens also met with Union Bay sportswear merchandisers and thanked them for their use of nonmodels, with healthy looking body types, in their advertising campaigns. 

The GO GIRLS! Seattle pilot project was a huge success for all involved and is grateful to KIRO-TV, KOMO-TV, Seattle Times and Yahoo! News for featuring stories on the group's efforts.