The University of Dayton Women's Center is proposing a challenge to students in the month of October: 'Be a Better You.'

The National Organization for Women sponsors 'Love Your Body Day' on Oct. 19 and the Women's Center and its partners are celebrating the entire month of October by holding special events daily to make students focus on their own health and wellness.

On Oct. 2, 16 and 23, presentations will be held at 7 p.m. that each relate to ways UD students can improve their health. Topics being addressed are how to build self-esteem, being personally fit and how to eat healthy and balanced diets while away from home. These presentations promise informative speakers, and all attendees will be entered into a drawing to win an iPod.

''Be A Better You' is about more than eating right and exercising, although those are very important,' said Women's Center Director Lisa Rismiller 'It is about being the best person you can be, inside and out. It is about learning to love yourself for who and what you are.'

On Oct. 5 at 4:45 p.m., learn a little about Dayton history by taking a walking tour of Woodland Cemetery. The tour will be led by Woodland historian Denise Darling. All participants will be entered into a raffle to win a gift certificate for the Walking Store, and the first 50 walkers will receive free pedometers. Those interested in the tour should meet at the Erma Bombeck historic marker by St. Mary's Hall and the Rike Center.

Also taking place this week is 'Lee Denim Day,' when faculty and staff are encouraged to wear jeans to work in support of breast cancer research.

Set to be held on Friday, Lee National Denim day is the world's largest single-day fundraiser for breast cancer. Faculty and staff are encouraged to sign up in the KU lobby on Oct. 3 through 6 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. A $5 donation will be collected upon sign up.

All donations will go to the Susan G. Komn Breast Cancer Foundation.

Another part of 'Be A Better You' is the Body Monologues, an idea derived from the annual performance that takes place on campus called the Vagina Monologues.

It will present stories, poems and reflections written by students expressing their feelings about their bodies. Look for the entries that will be shown-off around campus on pink life-sized cutout figures.

The actual performance of the monologues, on Oct. 24, will be the closing event of the month-long effort towards raising self-awareness.

If you are looking for a reason to get outside during your busy schedule, participate in the 'Office Walk Outs' that will be taking place every weekday around lunchtime. They will be 20-minute moderate and relaxing walks around campus. The walks will be held at noon on Tuesday and Thursday and 1 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday and Friday.

Each walker will receive a free pedometer and be entered in a raffle for a gift certificate from the Walking Store.

Also involved in this month's events are the Counseling Center and Residential Services, who will be holding their own programs directed towards helping students take time to stay healthy and confident as fall semester reaches its midterm point.

At all the events, there will be incentives for those who take part. These incentives include door prizes such as free massages, gift certificates and special giveaways.

For more information, including a complete schedule of events, visit http://womenscenter.udayton.edu.