2002 EDC Award Speak Loud, Speak Proud A Reception to Honor Kate Dillon First Spokesperson for the Eating Disorders Coalition Washington, D.C. - June 27, 2002

From left, Kate Dillon, EDC Executive Director Jeanine Cogan, and Author Margo Maine celebrate courageous voices building awareness of eating disorders

A 5'11" Kate Dillon was slinking down Paris runways and appearing in Vogue and Glamour. Even at a size 4 there were many times when she was told “you are not thin enough.” Anorexic since age 12, by age 19 the disorder really took its toll and Kate admitted to herself that if she kept this up she could die. She visited a nutritionist and added 15 pounds but lost her modeling cachet. "I was only a size 8, yet I was told I was huge and disgusting."

Kate left the world of overly thin models and began her journey back to herself. She is now a plus-size model and proudly offers all of us a healthy example of beauty, inside and out. Kate is also an activist for eating disorders awareness and is committed to addressing this problem through federal policy. Thus, Kate has been working with the Eating Disorders Coalition since last year by telling her story to members of Congress, presenting Senator Clinton with the EDC policy award, and showing her enthusiasm and energy for the cause. We are thrilled to have Kate as a spokesperson.

 

Presenting Kate with this honor is Dr. Margo Maine, Author of Body Wars: Making Peace with Women’s Bodies

Margo has worked as a clinician with eating disorders patients and their families for decades. She also has been a leader in eating disorders awareness advocacy. Body Wars is an activist guide for parents, educators, therapists, patients, former patients, in fact anyone who wants to join the fight against the forces that prevent women from being comfortable in their bodies. Dr. Maine will read from her book and provide us with insight and inspiration.

We thank our hosts for the reception, Judith Capen and Robert Weinstein.