Making a Difference
Photo of three fat women taking a selfie on the roof of a building, two White women and one Black woman; Source: Allgo-an app for plus size people via Unsplash
Compiled by Darliene Howell
March was National Women's History Month. Women have been essential in the history of changing our nation for the better. 2021 saw the largest number of women in Congress in U.S. history. However, women still comprise only 23.6% of the members. We have a long way to go.
Women and nonbinary persons act as advocates and activists in innumerable ways and they need to be recognized for their work and dedication. I wanted to take this opportunity to highlight a few of those leaders who are fat, activists and influencers who continue the charge to change our society. If you haven't done so, check them out!
Stacy Abrams (she/her), Founder of Fair Fight, @fairfightaction, @FairFightAction
Black Mamas Matter Alliance (BMMA) Empowering black mothers, @blackmamasmatter, @BlackMamasMatter
Melanie Campbell (she/her), President/CEO of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation, convener, Black Women's Roundtable #nationalcoalitiononblackcivicparticipation, @NCBCP
Ragen Chastain (she/her), Board Member of the Council on Size and Weight Discrimination, Fat Activist, Writer, Fathelete, danceswithfat.org, @ragenchastain, facebook.com/ragenchastain
Tracy Cox (she/her), co-Founder of Angry Fat People, opera singer, #angryfatpeople, @AngryFatPeople
Johnetta Elzie (she/her), a leader in the activist group We The Protesters and co-editor of the Ferguson protest newsletter, This Is the Movement, @Nettaaaaaaaa, #wetheprotesters, facebook.com/We The Protesters
Chaya Milchtein (she/her), Automotive Educator, Journalist, Influencer, mechanicshopfemme.com, @mechanicshopfemme, facebook.com/cmilchtein
Monica Simpson (she/her), Executive Director of SisterSong, @sistersong_woc, @SisterSongWOC
Portrait of Darliene Howell, an older Caucasian woman with short white hair, wearing glasses.
Darliene Howell (she/her) - Administrative Director for NAAFA. Darliene has worked directly with NAAFA since her retirement in 2004; first as the recording secretary to the Board of Directors in 2007, then elected as the Chair of the Board and Administrative Director in 2015. She has been active in fat community 20+ years.