Chenese Lewis and the National Organization of Women Speak Against Janice Dickinson

I knew it would only be a matter of time before someone higher up the food chain was going to have choice words for the way that Janice Dickinson treated the plus size models that appeared on her show last week.  The email that I received because I am a member of Chenese Lewis’ website was titled “Janice Dickinson Sucks”.  That combined with the National Organization of Women may make things hard for Miss Dickinson and her efforts.

HOLLYWOOD, October 15, 2008 — Hollywood & Pacific Shore NOW, two local Chapters of the 42-year-old national organization working to bring women and men into full equality, reject comments made by Janice Dickinson – supermodel, actress, author & agent – on “The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency” last night on Oxygen. Dickinson derided professional, plus-size fashion models, saying she doesn’t “do fat.”

“I am absolutely outraged!” says Hollywood NOW Love Your Body Chairperson, Chenese Lewis, former Miss Plus America, plus-size fashion model & actress. “Janice Dickinson’s treatment of not only plus-size models, but all female models who aren’t a size “0”, is unacceptable. She is setting a horrible example for young girls, and is mean-spirited in a sad attempt to gain ratings.”

The Hollywood Chapter is joined by Pacific Shore NOW, in denouncing Dickinson’s disrespectful treatment. “Anorexia and bulimia are so pervasive that they part of our cultural fabric,” says Chapter President, 60-year-old Zoe Ann Nicholson says. “It is Janice’s prerogative to only represent a certain segment in the modeling world – but she has publicly expressed a deep and abiding disgust for people who have even the slightest percent of body fat. She is not healthy for women to watch, for kids who need to learn self-acceptance, for parents who are hoping to teach their kids about loving their body.”

The National Organization for Women (NOW) is the largest organization of feminist activists in the United States. In its first two years, the Hollywood Chapter of NOW has brought a new face to feminism and tackled contemporary issues facing all women, including healthy body image, safety, and peace. “There’s a lot of confusion surrounding the idea of feminism today,” says Chapter President, 26-year-old Lindsey Horvath. “Hollywood NOW works to identify and address the concerns relevant to women now. Chenese’s leadership in promoting a healthy body image is just one way we show how feminist activism brings women together to create the world we all envision for ourselves, the world we know is possible for women.”

To learn more about Hollywood NOW’s Love Your Body campaign, go to www.LoveYourBodyDay.com.

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Hollywood NOW: www.myspace.com/HollywoodNOW
Chenese Lewis: www.cheneselewis.com
Love Your Body Day: www.LoveYourBodyDay.com
Pacific Shore NOW: www.pacificshoreocnow.com
Zoe Ann Nicholson: www.onlinewithzoe.com