On Thursday night, a small audience gathered around a large television in the Women’s Resource Center to watch an episode of “Ugly Betty” and to discuss its portrayal of women.

According to Susana Das Neves, assistant director of the Latino Resource Center, there have been other forms of the show in Colombia, Mexico and Spain. Das Neves decided to watch the U.S. series and compare it to those aired in other countries.

“The show is not a true reflection of Latino women,” said Das Neves. “There’s too much emphasis on the superficial.”

In the Colombian version, called “I am Ugly Betty,” the main character is very ugly but intelligent, said Das Neves.

The other characters use her for her intelligence and only accept her over time when she starts to change her appearance.The Colombian version is seen as reinforcing the idea that women need to be beautiful to be taken more seriously.

“It’s terrible,” said Das Neves. “People should be valued by their strength, personality.”

Ugly Betty is almost a first of its kind. In U.S. media, women are often portrayed as beautiful and sexual. There has yet to be a television series that has really made a character as opposite of the female stereotype as the character “Betty.”

Most main characters of shows such as “Sex and the City,” “Smallville” and “Heroes” convey very beautiful women. “Ugly Betty” shows what the world is like for women who cannot be defined under that stereotype.

Patrice Rounsaville, a student worker at the Women’s Resource Center, believes that “Ugly Betty” steers away from the stereotypes of women.

But Jill Dunlap, the director of the Women’s Resource Center, said that while it makes fun of the stereotype, it may be perpetuating the idea.

Ultimately, the Women’s Resources Center believes there is much to be learned from a television series as different as “Ugly Betty.”

“We live in world of what’s pretty and not pretty,” said Das Neves. “[The series] gives people the opportunity to get to know each other for who they are. It is more than looking pretty.”

Rounsaville believes students should watch the show so they can become more diverse culturally.

“In a way she’s more realistic, instead of more stereotypical women portrayed on TV,” said Rounsaville.

The Women’s Resource Center will continue to evaluate the series as the season continues. All are invited to attend the event at 7 p.m. on Thursday nights in the Women’s Resource Center. Participants will be watching the episodes then discussing them afterward.

“Regardless of stereotype there’s always a way to overcome it and make the best of situations,” said Rounsaville.