Every year in mid-February, Dickinson hosts a joyful celebration of self-love and self-acceptance. It’s called Love Your Body Week, and this year’s lineup features a variety of fun and affirming events for students—and, in some cases, faculty, staff and families too.
"Love Your Body Week is a longstanding Dickinson tradition that gives everyone on campus a chance to move, eat, learn and reflect on our relationships with our bodies," says Katie Schweighofer, director of Dickinson's Women’s & Gender Resource Center (WGRC), organizer of the event. "Cultural messages about beauty, health, weight, skin, hair and other bodily difference impact all of us, and we hope that this event will help Dickinsonians embrace and appreciate all our varied and wonderful bodies."
The festivities kick off Monday evening with a Love Your Body Week Soiree, complete with live performances, a DJ, group activities and delicious food. Throughout the week, participants will gather nutrition and self-care tips, and they’ll learn about women’s health, sex education, neurodiversity and body diversity. They’ll also dance and enjoy a movie together, rounding out the week with a body-positive swim in the Kline Center pool.
The WGRC hosts the 2026 Love Your Body Week in partnership with Dickinson's Office of Access & Disability Services, Department of Athletics, Dance Theatre Group (DTG), Office of Human Resource Services, LGBTQ+ Center, Psychology Club, the departments of Psychology and Theatre & Dance and the Wellness Center.
Kickoff Soiree
5-7 p.m., Allison Community Room, Allison Hall
Join us as we kick off Love Your Body Week with live dance and music performances, a DJ, group activities and plenty of delicious food! RSVP required.
Love Your Atypical Brain & Body
11-1 p.m., HUB Social Hall
Stop in during your lunch break and join the Access & Disability Services team for activities, swag and information about neurodiversity and body diversity on campus and in our culture.
Happy Body Hour
5-6:30 p.m., The Site, 25-27 High Street
Treat yourself to an expert-led session teaching gentle movement, meditation and body care.
Watermelon Woman
7-8:30 p.m., Landis House
A lesbian rom-com classic, this film tells the story of a young Black lesbian trying to uncover the truth about the queer life of a 1930s Black actress. Come for the multigenerational Black queer representation and stay for the sweetly romantic storyline.
Open Dance Class
Noon-1 p.m., HUB Social Hall
Students, faculty and staff are invited to stop by, hear some hot beats and learn a few cool moves from students in Dickinson's Dance Theatre Group. This is your chance to get up and dance and celebrate what our bodies can do. No prior experience or skill is required, but you must RSVP.
Know Your Body: Endometriosis and PCOS Wellness Info Session
Noon-1 p.m., HUB Side Room 204-205
What are the symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis, and how are they treated? This info session, cosponsored by Dickinson's Office of Human Resource Services, will help you recognize and understand these common gynecologic conditions.
The session will be led by Timothy Deimling, M.D., M.Sc., a minimally invasive gynecologic surgeon with UPMC Magee-Women's Hospital in Central Pa. Certified in obstetrics and gynecology by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dr. Deimling received his medical degree from the Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine and completed his residency in obstetrics and gynecology and fellowship in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. His clinical interests include endometriosis, uterine fibroids, chronic pelvic pain and laparoscopic surgery. Students, faculty and staff are invited to attend this bring-your-own-lunch event.
Nourish to Flourish: Eating Well on and off Campus
Noon-1 p.m., HUB Social Hall
Join Assistant Women's Basketball Coach Chris Mabry for a fun info session about what’s on your plate. Lunch will be served.
Communication and Pleasure
7-9 p.m., Allison Community Room
This is an educational info session on communication and sexuality, led by trained sexual health peer educators. Come early to enjoy delicious mocktails (6-7 p.m.) with the peer educators.
Body-Positive Swim Time!
2-4 p.m., Kline Center Pool
A body-positive, family-friendly swim for Dickinson students, faculty, staff and families.
Riley Heffron '26 (English, women's, gender & sexuality studies) is the student project manager for this year's Love Your Body event, and she's been a part of the planning process for the annual celebration ever since her sophomore year. She's particularly looking forward to the soiree and the open dance class.
"It feels good to have a space that is dedicated to embracing all different types of bodies through movement, food and activism," she says. "Everyone is welcome to attend."
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Published February 11, 2026