Madelyn Sheaffer
This is Madelyn Sheaffer from Odessa, Missouri, a dedicated mother who always put family first and went to great lengths to make sure her kids were taken care of.
However, when she reached her mid-30s, Madelyn made a startling discovery that forced her to re-evaluate her life. She was suffering from a compressed disc in her back, and one day, a silly domestic accident made everything worse.
Forced To Make A Decision
One day, as she leaned over to take a bath, she slipped and fell into the tub. Emergency workers rushed to the scene, but Madelyn was in too much pain to be moved and sent them away.
She was unable to get out for three days (yup, three days). That's when it dawned on her that in her quest to take care of her family, she had neglected herself. Her body had been taking a huge toll due to her lifestyle, but this was a wake-up call that made her realize it was time to make a change.
Determination
Madelyn took it as a sign that she needed to start losing weight, and so she did. It wasn't people's derogatory looks what worried her the most; it was her health. As the years went by, she successfully managed to lose quite a lot of weight (nearly 100 pounds!) and she got healthier.
But 7 years later, at age 43, Madelyn was back in that awful place. On a hot, summer day, while spending some time with her kids at a nearby water park, she was targeted by a group of teens because of her body. But why?
Feeling Brave
Earlier that day, Madelyn had decided to do something she had never dreamed of doing before: she took a long-forgotten swimsuit out of its box and tried it on. She smiled at her reflection in the mirror— it fit perfectly!
Madelyn gathered her family up for a surprise outing to Adventure Oasis Water Park to cool off, and feeling empowered, she decided to wear her bikini. However, she never expected the day to end with shame and an epic battle for her rights.
On The Spotlight
When Madelyn walked to the pool and took off her dress, she became aware of all the eyes burning a hole into her back. Why was everyone suddenly staring at her?
Feeling a bit self-conscious, she sat down again and covered herself with a towel. However, she looked around and noticed that both men and women, young and old, where still gawking at her.
Smug Smile
It wasn't long before she realized that two female teenage employees were giving her the side-eye at a distance. Out of her comfort zone but determined to enjoy herself, she cracked her warmest smile at them.
She then noticed that the two employees started whispering to each other. She couldn’t understand why they would keep on looking at her so smugly, but she chose not to make a big deal out of it. After all, she didn’t want her family day to be spoiled! It was too late for that, though.
Relax, Take It Easy
Madelyn mentally prepared herself and dropped her towel again. Looking around, she sat down and slid into the cool water. She closed her eyes and focused on the sensation of the cool water swirling around her and began to relax.
However, a few seconds later, after smirking back at Madelyn, the employees approached her and said something that left her speechless. Read on and find out!
Insinuations
Apparently, some people had complained that her bikini was too revealing. Even though she had mentally prepared for this, she was still furious when those girls came right out and said it.
Towering over the mom in the pool in a display of power, the young girl facetiously told her that her bikini bottoms were “too small” and that they were “inappropriate”. "This is a family park", they added. Madelyn’s face flushed. Could they really kick her out just because they didn't like her bikini?
From Embarassment To Empowerment
Madelyn felt mortified, but then she stopped herself. She knew that she was wearing “full” bikini bottoms, how dare they say otherwise! Her blood began to boil when she saw that most of the other girls in the park were showing a lot more skin than she was.
Madelyn’s emotions ran wild as the young employees were commenting on her body. At first, she felt a profound sense of shame. "I was embarrassed for a second, and then it was no, no way,” she said. It was time to fight.
She Stood Up For Herself
If the incident had happened years before, the normally shy woman may not have had the courage to stick up for herself, but Madelyn now had a newfound confidence. She wasn't willing to put up with such injustice.
“My body is different than the young girls that were walking around in their bikinis, but why should I be ashamed of my body? I am comfortable in my bikini. I am happy with who I am", she said in an interview.
Deep Rage
The employees, however, wouldn’t let it go. They said that Madelyn had two options: she could either cover herself up with a pair of shorts or she could simply leave the waterpark.
Madelyn, now incensed, asked to speak to the supervisor on duty. "Well I am not covering up. And if you expect me to leave, you had better call the police and have them escort me out”, she said.
The Supervisor Shows Up
Since Madelyn wasn't willing to take no for an answer, the employees finally called their supervisor. Not only did the supervisor highlight the fact that she needed to cover up, but she added that she would also need to put on a shirt and a pair of shorts.
At one point, Madelyn figured they were simply jealous about how confident she was about her own body. Brave like a lion, she insisted that if they were to kick her out, they would have to do it the hard way.
Booted
Moments later, the officers arrived, and to Madelyn’s dismay, they booted her from the waterpark. "Fifteen minutes later the police did arrive and said that while they did not agree, they had to do their job", Madelyn commented.
“'We can't actually say anything, but I hope from the expressions on our face you can tell how we feel’, they said as we walked outside" Madelyn said. “They were compassionate. They, too, though it was ridiculous”, she added. But exactly how small was her bikini top?
The Picture That Made The News
Here's one of the very few pictures of Madelyn's wearing her swimming suit that was shared in the media. Was it your view? Was it too revealing, or was it just another ordinary bikini?
"This was not a thong. It was a standard, summertime, two-piece, string bikini… the same as everyone else, who felt confident enough in their body to wear one", Madelyn insisted. But the story didn't end here!
Venting On Social Media
Immediately after being kicked out, she shared this enraging situation on Facebook. “I am a 43-year-old woman who did not have the confidence or the body, to put on a bikini until [I was] 40 years old. I will not be discriminated against because I look too good in one”, she said.
She concluded her post by stating the following: "I felt like it was both age and body discrimination and I felt like I could look around me and I could see a handful of other girls half my age, wearing the same size swimwear and not being singled out and told to put on clothes or leave".
Going Viral
Madelyn's Facebook post was viewed by thousands of users all over the globe and most of them were appalled by the staff’s behavior. Without a doubt, her post gained more support than she could ever have imagined.
She also received tons of letters from many different countries. “*In addition to other countries already mentioned, I have now heard from Greece, China, Hong Kong… and received over 500 beautiful letters from Brazil".
All Shapes And Sizes
Madelyn is absolutely grateful for the people's words of solidarity and support. "I have been wanting to see the world, and now the world is coming to me, and sending much love”, she shared in an interview.
"One thing I have learned so far is that there is a much greater viewpoint and perspective of the human body than what is to be found in Independence, Missouri worldwide… and I thank and appreciate you for that!", she added.
Calling The Media
However, she knew that a humble Facebook post wouldn't be enough to change the park's corporate policies, so she took things one step further and contacted a few local media outlets, including 41 News.
"“Long story short, I called the media, and will be on tonight's local 41 news. Several people walked out while I waited outside for the newsman, and told me how ridiculous this all was, and complimented me on my swimsuit", Madelyn said in one of the interviews.
Need For Change
In Madelyn's view, “It is not money that is going to correct the issue, but a change in the swimming park’s ‘appropriate swimming attire’ policy".
However, she also believes that a change in the dress code is not enough. In her words, it's also vital for there to be "an improvement involving better education and orientation of their park management". Loud and clear!
Not The First Nor The Last Time
There is no doubt that Madelyn was subject to an unfair and sexist treatment. She was dressed in the same way than all the other women, but yet she was singled out and treated unjustly.
But wait a moment! This wasn't the only time that a woman was unfairly humiliated because of her dress codes! Up next, a teenager's first day of school goes wrong.
16-Year-Old Girl Gets Kicked Out Of School For The Most Ridiculous Reason
On a similar story, 16-year-old Josephina Thompson had just changed schools and was excited about her first day of class. She was feeling optimistic, hoping she would make new friends.
She would now be attending Grissom High School in Huntsville, Alabama, and was really looking forward to it. However, little did she expect what would happen on her first week of school.
Inappropiate Clothing
Just as Josephina headed towards her first period of the school year together with a friend, she was stopped by a security guard. You won't believe why!
A female security guard told her that the clothes she was wearing were inappropriate for the occasion and was thus asked to leave the school's premises. But what was Josephine wearing that was so "inappropriate"?
Kicked Out Of School
Apparently, the black leggings that the 16-year-old girl was wearing were against the institution's dress code, at least according to security.
Other than those pair of leggings, Josephina was wearing a long-sleeved baggy sweatshirt that covered basically every inch of her body. What was so wrong about that?
SOS
Josephina was told that she could only stay at school under one condition: if someone immediately brought her some appropriate clothing. Therefore, the young student messaged her mother, Deanna, asking for help.
Luckily, the mother of one of Josephina's friends happened to live nearby and fetched her some clothing. "'If nobody had been available, she would have had to sit in that room all day and would not have been able to go to class", Deanna explained in an interview.
Her Mom Was Furious
Josephina's mother was furious once she was told that her girl had nearly been kicked out for wearing some baggy clothes. Apparently, the school authorities had deemed her outfit "offensive".
Unable to control her indignation, Deanna shared her story on social media, posting a picture of her daughter's "unruly" dress code. Let's see what the irked mother had to say...
Seeking An Explanation
"I would like someone to please explain to me how this is justified. Why single a student out, put her in a locked room and inhibit her learning because of one faculty member's INTERPRETATION of her clothing?", Deanna vented.
She also demanded that the school authorities be held accountable for their arbitrary decision. "Huntsville City Schools, I would like to ask a question. What are you teaching our children about their bodies and their minds?", she inquired. But that was not all!
Harsh Accusations
Deanna went one step further and accused the school authorities of being sexist. In her view, "it all boils down to the claim that girls "revealing" clothing is a distraction to male students".
"You are telling girls that their bodies are to be hidden, and that boys cannot control their minds if they see the basic female figure", she added. Let's face it: the woman's got a point! But wait a second... what did the school's dress code policy really say?
She Wasn't Breaking The Rules
According to Grissom City School's dress code policy, Josephine wasn't at fault. By wearing a baggy sweatshirt and a pair of leggings, she was in no way breaking any rules.
"Students may wear yoga pants, tights, leggings, or jeggings as long as they are used as an undergarment covered by shorts, skirts, or dresses that are at least no higher than three inches above the bend of the back of the knee", the rulebook clearly stated.
The Story Went Viral
Deanna never expected her post to become that viral. She never imagined that her story would be shared by over 1,500 users. It was even picked up by a few local media outlets!
As to Josephina, this is what she commented on the issue: "Should've brushed my hair before this picture.. but thank you very much, mom. My comfy clothes are no longer appropriate. GOD FORBID a male be distracted from his education because he was turned on by the mere outline of my scrawny little legs".
Lesson Learned
Luckily, Josephina was not alone, as many of her friends started distributing pamphlets expressing their rage towards the school's decision.
Just like the staff from the water park, the school authorities probably learned their lesson: you must always measure everything by the same yardstick!