The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue hasn’t always been a source of empowerment for women, but in recent years it has tried to be more representative of different body types and features?and this year’s edition is one for the moms! For the first time in its history, the magazine will be featuring a woman with a visible C-section scar on its pages.
The magnitude of this moment isn’t lost on 42-year-old model Kelly Hughes, a jewelry designer and mother of one. ?I am speechless and so honored to be in @si_swimsuit 2022 as the FIRST woman to expose her C-section scar in [the] magazine’s history!? she captioned an Instagram post revealing the image.

 

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  A post shared by Kelly Hughes (@kellyhues)

The striking pic, in which Kelly pulls down her bikini bottoms to show off her horizontal scar, is part of an initiative launched in 2022, aiming to empower women of all shapes and sizes and push forward gender equality. The Pay With Change initiative is a commitment by SI to work with companies dedicated to advancing women?s issues and creating change for them. This year’s partner is Frida Mom, a company that offers innovative baby and postpartum recovery products for new mothers, including a newly launched c-section recovery kit. With Sports Illustrated and Frida Mom’s help, Kelly found her strength after a pregnancy and delivery that left her not feeling like herself.
The m...