In this photo: Sharon Quinn, Deb Malkin, Mia Amber, Madeline Figueroa Jones,
Nikki Blonsky, Susan Moses, Cassy Jones-Mcbryde, Glen L Johnson
One of the highlights of my participation in Full Figured Fashion week was the chance to speak on a discussion panel on issues within the curvy community with a stellar list of ladies from different parts of the plus size universe. The words that resonated the most with me were spoken by Madeline Figueroa Jones of Plus Model Magazine when she stated that each and every member of the curvy community must find their “voice”.
In my opinion finding your voice as well as not being afraid to be you was echoed by everyone on the panel in particular Mia Amber who discussed the issues that she faced during the casting of the movie Road Trip
Back to making sure that your voice is heard, celebrity stylist Susan Moses as well as moderator Sharon Quinn stated in their own unique way that the only way that we will be heard is to speak from our own experiences as well as not compromising for the sake of others. Deb Malkin and Cassy Jones-Mcbride brought their own flavor of how to run a business and head up a size acceptance movement respectively. All of the speakers embodied the essences of finding your “voice” to speak on something that is not being said and to fill a void.
During the question segment of the panel questions such as “how to handle few to no blog comments” and “how to get started” were asked as well as questions on networking and finding your voice.
Was new ground broke during this panel discussion? Absolutely. As Sharon Quinn stated history was being made by all of us by simply showing up and letting our voice be heard. Admittedly, I was humbled by the entire experience of being a part of the panel because all of the issues discussed were important, but the fan in me was uber excited to take pictures with Mia Amber and Full Figured Fashion Week cover model Teslyn Butler. Teslyn, by the way, is an Arkansas native!
I hope in the future that more discussion panels like this occur. Hats off to Johara from Luvinmycurves and Marie the Curvy Fashionista for putting together the Curvy Collective as well as putting together the panel. I hope that the discussion can continue about the issues that are relevant to the plus size community and that everyone that wants to participates finds their unique voice. What are your thoughts? What do you think of the current state of affairs in the curvy community?
