Thank you for your interest in Super SIG, NAAFA's Special Interest Group
for super-sized women. I'd like to answer some questions about Super SIG
and how it works.
What is the SuperSIG and what are its goals?
The Super SIG is a special interest group for women size 48 or larger of
NAAFA, the National Association
to Advance Fat Acceptance. Our goals are 1) to develop a support group
for the larger women in NAAFA 2) to define and solve many of the special
problems that super-sized women face 3) to offer specific ideas, solutions
and items of interest to us as large women through our publication, SUPER
WOMAN.
Why is membership limited to women size 48 or larger?
There are many aspects to the fat experience and many problems are faced
by all fat people, whether they weigh 400, 300, 200 or even 140 pounds,
For example: A woman who weighs 200 lbs may be denied employment, may be
harassed by family and friends to lose weight, may be laughed at by people
on the street and may be a victim of social discrimination. However, this
same woman may never know what it is like to miss a favorite movie because
she does not fit into the seats of a theater, to avoid shopping in a store
with a turnstile, to simply watch the "fat fashion" market blossom...but
decline in her size, or simply to have to take care of a superwoman body
with its specific grooming and hygiene problems. NAAFA is for all of us,
the Super SIG is for the largest of us.
Why women only, and why the size 48 cutoff?
We chose "women only" because we cover some topics that are fairly
personal and intimate. All of our gatherings and surveys will be closed
so that all feel comfortable discussing "touchy" subjects such
as feminine hygiene, bra sizes, sexual attitudes, etc. However these subjects
are not some big secret to SUPERWOMEN only, so in an effort to eliminate
"perceived fears" and to share understanding, all members in
NAAFA may subscribe to SUPERWOMAN, albeit at a somewhat higher fee than
Super SIG members.
The size 48 cutoff was not determined by us, but the management of Lane
Bryant who cut off size 48 and larger from their retail stores. Other manufacturers
are doing likewise and we are seeing a trend toward a better selection
in clothing under size 48 and more limited than ever selection in over
size 48. We needed to determine a cutoff point for the SIG and it seemed
to be an appropriate one.
What about men?
Men can subscribe to SUPERWOMAN (as long as they are NAAFA
members). See special info for men.
How does the SuperSIG work?
After we receive your dues, you will be sent initiation materials which
include a survey about YOU. Some of the information will be easy, some
will be a little nosy. We will even ask for a picture of you. Your initiation
survey, when returned, will be locked away and all vital information about
you will be coded with a number. Your number will be used on all future
surveys. Of course, you can use your name on your surveys if you wish,
but we are much more interested in what you think and know, than we are
in causing you embarrassment.
Each year you will receive a survey on specific topics. The information
that you provide in your answers will be combined with those of other SIG
members and the results will be compiled in issues of SUPERWOMAN. We hope
that after many issues of SUPERWOMAN, you will have a handbook full of
tips and information on how to survive as a super-sized woman in a thin
world.
We also hope to provide entertainment along with the sharing of tips and
hints, scattered among the serious topics, we hope to include some stories,
a travelog for the super-sized explorer and some humor. We hope that we
will make you laugh and cry; maybe even get mad enough to fight back. We
will have a Letters column where some of your questions can be answered
by other SIG members.
What topics does the SuperSIG cover?
Travel: modes, seating, reservations, getting through terminals; Personal
Grooming and Hygiene; Sex: relationships, positions, intimate apparel,
FAs, Relationships - with family, friends, co-workers, NAAFA members, Health,
Society, Fashion, Discrimination, Automobiles, Furniture, Sports, Recreation.
This is a partial listing...and we welcome suggestions from SIG members.
We will also accept fiction, poetry, cartoons, ads, recipes, personal experiences...
Remember: this publication is for you.
What are the membership rules, and how much does it cost?
You must be a member of NAAFA,
the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance, to join and stay in
the Super SIG. Secondly, this SIG is a participation group. No one has
all the answers to our "super" questions and problems. Therefore,
our main rule is that ALL SIG members should participate. Our surveys are
fairly short and simple. Most questions can be answered in a few words.
If you wish to say more, that is fine too. We would be delighted to read
anything that you wish to say. Third, you must pay your dues before you
receive your initiation materials. The yearly dues are $17.50 ($22.50 Canada,
$25 other foreign). The initiation survey that you receive is important
because it tells us who you are.
After initiation, all of your personal data will be kept under code number.
This information is important to us for comparisons. For instance, if member
number 220 reports that she fits in the standard plastic seating at McDonalds,
we can look up the information about her and see that she fits in a 19"
seat and most of the women in the SIG need a larger seat to be comfortable.
What do I get when I join the SuperSIG?
You will receive one annual survey and four issues of SUPERWOMAN, sent
quarterly. After returning your completed annual survey to Super SIG, we
will compile all of the answers into a future SUPERWOMAN issue. Once a
year you will be sent a permission slip to list you in the annual Super
SIG Registry, through which you may contact other SIG members. The Registry
is never sent to anyone but female SIG members.
The dues barely cover the cost of printing and postage, but it's important
to keep dues as low as possible so that the maximum number of SUPERWOMEN
can join.
Can I get back issues of SuperWoman?
Absolutely. Click here to see a list of available
issues.
Are there face-to-face meetings of the SuperSIG?
YES. The Super SIG has meetings at some regional NAAFA meetings and most
NAAFA conventions. I hope that you will attend.
Why do I have to be a NAAFA
member to join the Super SIG?
NAAFA has been fighting against size discrimination since 1969 and needs
your support to continue the fight. Without NAAFA there would be no Super
SIG.
How do I pay the dues?
Dues are just US$20.00 a year (US$25 Canada, and US$27.50 other foreign).
All checks and money orders must be drawn on a US bank. Foreign members
may find it easier to send US funds or postal money orders. Please make
all checks and money orders payable to: Sherry Collins-Eckert. Send to:
The SuperSIG's page on WLS
Learn the Truth about Weight Loss
Surgery.
SuperSIG
POB 25083
St. Louis, MO 63125-0083
Hurry and send in your dues so that we may get your initiation materials
out to you as soon as possible. Life is full of positive and wonderful
things...and for each small problem solved, there is more room in your
life to enjoy the good things. I hope that Super SIG will improve the quality
of all our lives. I hope that you decide to join us.
Thank You!
Sherry Collins-Eckert
Super SIG coordinator