She might have lost to Sandra Bullock at Sunday night’s Oscars, but Gabourey Sidibe, star of “Precious: Based on the Novel Push by Sapphire,” isn’t licking her wounds, but quickly moving on to her next project, a new Showtime comedy, “The Big C.”

“Precious” was Gabby’s feature film debut, and she relished her first Academy Awards appearance, quipping on the red carpet that if fashion were porn, her blue crystal adorned Marchesa dress would be the money shot.

Gabby – who weighs somewhere between 335 and 400 – is one of the precious few weighty actress (think Ricki Lake, “Hairspray,” 1988) in an industry where lithe, lovely young women are the standard.

Sidibe, 26, was never, as she puts it, a “small girl,” going on her first diet at age 6. She spent years feeling bad about herself.

But Sidibe had had enough with lamenting her size. Now she exudes confidence and contentment – a lesson we can all learn from, as women who typically gripe and groan about body shape and size.

Where does all this confidence come from?

“It’s something I had to work at,” Sidibe says. “I was always dieting. One day I had to sit down with myself and decide that I loved myself no matter what my body looked like – and no matter what other people thought of my body.”

She adds, “Your body is your temple. It’s your home.”

My reaction? Quite simply — I love it. I love that Sidibe has such a healthy attitude about herself. It’s what I wish for all young people struggling with their body image.

Let’s hope Gabby’s moment in the spotlight isn’t over, but that she has opened the door for imperfection in Hollywood. Doubtful, but we can always hope.

After watching the glitz and glamour of Hollywood’s finest talent walk down the red carpet for the Oscars last night, today marks an occasion to reflect and support girls and women around the world in much different circumstances. International Women’s Day celebrates the economic, political and social achievements of women. In the U.S. alone there are 126 gatherings, formal and informal, to celebrate women. WomentoWomen.org is organizing Join me on the Bridge to honor the millions of women who have survived the ravages of war. If you live near Brooklyn, N.Y., check it out. Last week, a showing of the 30-minute film, Half the Sky, based on the N.Y.T. bestseller by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn, was shown at select movie houses on March 4 and a discussion guide for youth is available to download. Other events – including art exhibits, journal entries, petitions, walks and talks, and other ways to honor the rights of women – are listed here.

Spreading awareness by sharing The Girl Effect is one of my favorite ways to get the world out and today marks a reminder to share this video again. It just doesn’t get old.

The history of International Women’s Day is empowering and 2011 will mark the 100th anniversary. Countries around the world celebrate the success of women in raising awareness about equality and achieving women’s right to vote. International Women’s Day is a national holiday in China, Armenia, Russia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bulgaria, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Macedonia, Moldova, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan and Vietnam. Efforts are underway in to mark it as a holiday everywhere. The World Health Organization is pledging to fight for adolescent girls’ rights over next 5 years.

In keeping with the spirit, The Girl Scouts of America has launched The Power of Girls to raise awareness. Girls can take a pledge to take 10 minutes to learn more by sending e-cards and posting on Facebook, writing class papers, calling government officials, and, of course, getting BFFs on board in the next 10 days.

So, how about you?