Founder's Message

GOD is Good!! There is no other way that I can make that
affirmation and describe how I feel. For the past few months
I have experienced some wonderful blessings and they are
a result of believing and thanking God not only for my triumphs but
also my tribulations. He has given me the strength and vision to empower
all plus-size women to be happy with their bodies and love themselves.

During the month of October the Voluptuous Woman Company held its annual
planning meeting for the upcoming year. We know without a doubt that 2000
is going to be a trailblazing year for the plus-size woman. VWC will sponsor a
Fall Weekend Conference, and various regional Networking
Breakfast events that will take place in Maryland, New York/New Jersey,
North Carolina and Atlanta. Recently VWC was invited to present two
workshops for the African American Women on Tour conference series
in New York and Atlanta.

Nonetheless, what was truly a wonderful accomplishment was my appearance
on the Queen Latifah Show earlier this month. The show was entitled
"Big Beautiful Women" and included makeovers for various women. I had
the pleasure of introducing the Voluptuous Woman Company nationally and
surprising my husband with an early anniversary present. My appearance
on the show was a wonderful experience and I definitely have a new found
respect for television production teams. It is not a 9-5 job, and what was
amazing is that all of the production staff members remained extremely
calm and pleasant throughout the long day.

In this edition of the newsletter we want to focus on our VWC
Reader Survey. This survey lets us hear from you - the plus-size
community. Since VWC was founded to serve the plus-size woman,
we frequently want to hear how we can better serve you through
our events, website and overall organization.

In addition, we have included several websites that have fashionable
shoes in sizes 9-15 and in various widths ranging from AAA to WW. I am
sure many of you become discouraged when shopping for shoes. More often
than not, the shoe retailers seldomly carry a large amount of extended
sizes, so I included these websites to provide you with options
for shoe shopping.

I can testify to this month's Twenty "CANs" of Success. I pray that this
affirmation will lift your spirits and give you the inspiration to identify
the gifts that God provided you with and to use them to enhance your life
and the life of others..

"Why should I say I can't when the Bible says I can do all things through
Christ who gives me strength?" Philippians 4:13

Peace and Blessings,

Jennene Biggins-Grimsley
Founder and CEO

November 14 - Capital NAAFA Bowling Blast at Bowl America in
Alexandria, VA at 2:00pm. Check out the NAAFA website for more
information http://members.xoom.com/capitalnaafa or call the
Capital Chapter at 703-912-1646 or send an email to
naafacapital@yahoo.com

November 20 - Movie Matinee and Dinner sponsored by the Greater
Baltimore Chapter from 4:00pm - 5:00pm at the Bel Air 14
Regal Cinemas. For more information visit the Greater Baltimore
chapter's website at http://BaltimoreNAAFA.homepage.com or call
410-679-5258

November 21 - Reflections 99 Fashion Show, Best Western Travel
Plaza - Baltimore, MD 6:00pm. Tickets $22.00 advance/$25.00 door.
For tickets call 410-475-7440 or 410-675-8721

November 21 - USA Plus Model of the Year Seminar/Contest 8am - 1pm
Sponsored by Dimensions Plus Modeling Agency. Embassy Suites Downtown
Cleveland, Ohio. For more information call (330) 639-9809 or visit
the website at http://www.plususa.com

December 4 - The Voluptuous Woman Company and Davide' Furs
present Grace and Elegance; An evening Celebrating
the Plus-Size Woman in New York. Event starts at 8pm and seating is
limited. If you are interested in attending, please send an email
to jbiggins@volupwoman.com by November 20, 1999.

December 5 - Ms. Full-Figured USA at the Robert Treat Hotel,
Newark, NJ (near the Performing Arts Center)at 4:30pm. Tickets
are $25.00. For entry and ticket information call Ms. Randolph
973-674-1520.

Amazon Goddess based in Chicago, IL, is looking for a grant writer and
fundraiser to become a part of our collective group, so that we can promote
Selflove & Fat Empowerment. Please Call Sylvia Pfeiffer(773)293 -1672
or send an email to Motivateu@hotmail.com.

If you have any events that may be of interest to our readers, please
email jbiggins@volupwoman.com

Crafts a la Carte - Home craft workshops. Visit their website at
http://hometown.aol.com/claylady65/page4.html

Sweetsoaps - Private labeled bath products for personal or
business use. Visit their website at http://www.sweetsoaps.com

Suits 2 Die 4 - Special occasion suits for the full-figured woman.
Visit their website at http://www.suits2die4.com or call (212) 764-2383

Daphne - Elegant, magnificent and stylish fashions and accessories for
large women. Visit their website at http://www.daphne1.com or call
(212) 877-5073

10 Plus Ladies Shoes - Women's shoes from sizes 10-15 based out of
California. Visit their website at http://www.tenplusshoes.com
or call (818) 386-1001

Classic Pumps - Sexy, feminine pumps in large sizes up to 13 1/2.
Visit their website at http://www.classicpumps.com or
call (815) 748-5506.

Shoecraft - Flats, pumps, boots, etc. sizes 10 1/2 - 15 including
medium, wide and doublewide widths. Visit their website at
http://www.shoecraft.com , call (800) 225-5848 or send an email
to tallgals@shoecraft.com

Designers' Shoes - Designer shoes in sizes 9-14 (widths AAAA-WW).
Visit their website at http://www.designershoes.com, call (888)
371-SHOE or send an email to info@designershoes.com

VWC is also offering a distributor program for people who are interested in selling the Guide to earn extra money. The retail price for the book is $18.95 and we will pay you a $5.00 commission for each book that you sell. VWC will handle all of the billing
and shipping and send you a commission check monthly.

If you are interested in becoming a distributor please send an email to distributor@volupwoman.com

Yes, I would like to order ____ copies of the Full Figured Woman's Resource
Guide at the introductory rate of $18.95 plus $3.00 S/H each.

Enclosed is a check/money order for $______________ OR
Please charge $______________ to my Visa/Mastercard (circle one)
Credit Card Number__________________________________________
Exp. Date:___________
Authorized Signature:_________________________________________

Name:________________________________________________
Address_______________________________________________
City, State, ZIP_________________________________________
Phone:_________________________________
Fax ___________________________________
Email__________________________________

**Please allow 2-3 weeks for delivery**

Send order form to:

Voluptuous Woman Company
Attn: FFWRG
P.O. Box 1172
Burtonsville, MD 20866-7172
or fax credit card orders to:
240-465-0529

A PLUS SIZE WOMAN IS BEAUTIFUL TO ME, THEY
EVEN LOOK BETTER THAN THE QUEEN BEE.

THEY MAY NOT BE SKINNY AS CINDY CRAWFORD
BUT THEY HAVE SO MUCH TO OFFER.

SOME PLUS SIZE WOMEN ARE SHY THE GREAT MEN
OFTEN WONDER WHY.

IT'S NOT ALL ABOUT HOW MANY PICTURES THEY ARE TAKEN
IT'S ALL BASED ON THE MONEY THEIR MAKING.

IF SOMEONE SAYS YOU CAN'T TAKE THE STAND,
GOD WILL ALWAYS BE HOLDING YOUR HAND.

A PLUS SIZE WOMAN MAY WEAR THE GEAR, THIS POEM
IS SOMETHING YOU WOMEN SHOULD HEAR.

DON'T THINK YOU'RE TOO BIG TO BE A MODEL,
YOUR BIG BREAK MAY BE TOMORROW.

IT'S NOT GOOD TO BE A MYSTERY
HEY- YOU MAY GO DOWN IN HISTORY.

To complete this survey, please hit "REPLY" in your email program
and then type in your answers after each colon (:) as appropriate.
Do not edit or rearrange the items listed within a question, so that
we can correctly determine your answers.

**VOLUPTUOUS WOMAN COMPANY 1999 SURVEY**

Each year the Voluptuous Woman Company conducts a survey of our
subscribers to validate contact information, identify your needs and find
out what events you are interested in for the upcoming year.

Listed below is a survey for the end of 1999. We ask that you complete
the survey and return by email or fax it to (301) 890-8304 by
December 30, 1999. We are giving away 5 complimentary VWC
memberships (valued at $45.00 each) and 5 Conference (Fall 2000)
Registrations (valued at $150.00 each). Each completed survey will
be entered in the membership and conference package giveaways.

VWC welcomes your comments and suggestions. Our mission is to
promote a positive image of the plus-size woman through informative,
empowering and spiritual events.

Q. ContactInfo
Please enter your information below

Name:
Company Name:
Address:
City:
State:
Zip:
Phone:
Fax:

Q. InternetInformation
Please complete your internet information

Email Address:
Website:

Q. OrgType

What type of organization do you work for?

[Please type an X after the appropriate choice (select only one item).]
Business firm:
Professional firm/practice:
Self-employed in own business:
Private school, hospital or other private institution:
Local, state or federal government:

Q. Age
How old are you?

[Please type an X after the appropriate choice (select only one item).]
Under 16:
16 - 17:
18 - 20:
21 - 24:
25 - 34:
35 - 44:
45 - 54:
55 - 64:
65+:

Q. Maritalstatus
What is your marital status?

[Please type an X after the appropriate choice (select only one item).]
Married:
Single, never married:
Widowed:
Separated or divorced:

Q. ReferralSource
How did you hear about the Voluptuous Woman Company?

[Please type an X after each choice that is appropriate.]
Washington City Paper:
1997/1998 VWC Fashion Show:
Direct Mail:
For Sister's Only Expo:
Belle Magazine:
BBW Magazine:
African American Women on Tour:
NAAFA:
Ms. Plus USA Pageant:
BBW/NC Weekend:
Devoe Signature Events:
Queen Latifah Show:
Link from another website:
Search Engine:
Other... (Please Specify)_____________________:

Q. FullFiguredStatus
Have you been full-figured all of your life?

[Please type an X after the appropriate choice (select only one item).]
Yes:
No:

Q. Size
What size do you wear?

[Please type an X after the appropriate choice (select only one item).]
12-14:
14-16:
18-20:
22-24:
24-26:
26-28:
28-30:
30-32:
32-34:
34-36:
36 and up:

Q. VWCFutureEvents
What Voluptuous Woman Company events are you interested in?

[Please type an X after each choice that is appropriate.]
Networking Breakfast in Maryland (includes DC and VA):
Networking Breakfast in New Jersey/New York:
Networking Breakfast in South Carolina/North Carolina:
Networking Breakfast in Atlanta:
Networking Breakfast in California (Los Angeles):
Fall 2000 Weekend Conference (DC or Maryland):
Fashion Shows:
Luncheons:
Health/Fitness Seminar:
Modeling Seminar:
Plus Size Women's Focus Group:
VWC State Chapter:

Q. VWCSuggestions
How can VWC better serve the plus-size woman?

Answer:

Q. NewsletterInfo
What information would you like included in the newsletter?

Answer:

Q. PlusSizeSpecials
Would you be interested in receiving email notifications of retail specials
that have products/services for plus-size women?

[Please type an X after the appropriate choice (select only one item).]
Yes:
No:

Q. CommentsSuggestions
Please list any other comments or suggestions that you rmay have...

Answer:

Q. ResourceGuideDistributor
Would you be interested in being a distributor for the Full-Figured
Woman's Resource Guide and earn extra money?

[Please type an X after the appropriate choice (select only one item).]
Yes:
No:

Q. EmailReferrals
If you know of other plus-size women who may be interested in receiving
the Voluptuous Woman Company's newsletter? Please feel free to include
their email addresses below.

Answer:

**************************************************************************

1999/2000 MODEL SEARCHES

****DeVoe Signature Events is now accepting entrance applications for
"Full-Figured & Fabulous - The Millenium Woman", a Plus-Size Runway Model
competition to be held in June, 2000 in New York City. Cash prizes,
complimentary photo session, workshops and runway training provided.

Competition open to all women, ages 18+, sizes 16-24. Only residents of New
York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Maryland and the District of
Columbia are eligible to compete. Some runway experience required.

For further information, email: applediva@aol.com, or call 917-356-5569.

**MODE Magazine and Wilhelmina Modeling Agency are sponsoring a
1999 Plus Model Search. Thirty women in three age categories will compete
for over $250,000 in contracts and prizes. For additional information
check out http://www.modemag.com, http://www.wilhelmina.com or
call 800-543-4663. The model search has been extended to
November 19, 1999.

*************************************************************************
VOLUPTUOUS WOMAN CLUB

Membership includes:

An official VWC T-shirt
A VWC Coffee Mug
A copy of the Full Figured Woman's Resource Guide
VIP Seating at VWC Events
30% off Conference Registration (Fall 2000)
30% off Advertising rates for brochures and event programs
50% off VWC Sponsored Events

Send $45.00 for a Two-Year membership via check or money order to:
VWC P.O. Box 1172, Burtonsville, MD 20866-7172 or to pay by
Visa/MasterCard visit our website at http://www.volupwoman.com/club.html
or call 301-890-8301 ext. 1

**************************************************************
GET YOUR VWC T-Shirts and Coffee Mugs: T-Shirts ($15)
Coffee Mugs ($6.00) - (MD residents add 5% tax)

Send check or money to VWC, Attn: Sales, P.O. Box 1172
Burtonsville, MD 20904 or you can now pay by VISA
OR MASTERCARD. For an order form send an email to
sales@volupwoman.com or call 301-890-8301 ext. 3

**************************************************************

COMMENTS/SUGGESTIONS

VWC wants to hear your comments and suggestions. Please
feel free to contact us at:

Voluptuous Woman Company
P.O. 1172
Burtonsville, MD 20866-7172
Phone - 301-890-8301
Fax - 301-890-8304
Email: jbiggins@volupwoman.com
Visit our website at: http://www.volupwoman.com