Jeanne Toombs passes

Marilyn passed on the sad news on the Fat Studies list yesterday, and I know it’s already been posted at BFB, Shapely Prose and the NAAFA blog, but NAAFA board member, longtime fat activist and all-around wonderful woman Jeanne Toombs passed away yesterday. I can’t say I ever had the honor of meeting her - we tried to bring her out to Smith while I was still in Size Matters, but our plans fell through - but in recent correspondences she has blown me away with her passion, her kindness, and her commitment to change (both within the movement and within the broader society). She sought out my experiences with fat activism and institutional issues, and was affirming and honest when she responded to my experiences.

She was a great person, and an important part of the movement, and I can’t express enough my sadness that she’s gone.