Yesterday I was listening to our local news-ish radio station, WTOP. They were announcing that the new Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition was out, like it was real news, pop culture new - sure, real new - no.Anyway, they were very excited to report that SI was including the first plus-size model in the issue. I remember joking that she was probably a size 2.

Later in the day they started releasing pictures for the press to promote the issue. I don't usually pay attention, its not my thing, I just roll my eyes and move along. Being a plus sized woman myself, I was curious to see what they considered as a representative for those above the average.

Her name is Robyn Lawly. She's lovely, beautiful, health looking and I'm sure a sweet girl. Meet SI's Official Plus Size Model (bold mine)

She's a size 12 and 6'2". (Eonline reported her as being a size 10.)



There is something very wrong in that statement. Of course Lawly shouldn't consider herself plus-sized, cause she's not. She is slightly below the average size of the American woman. Below. Average. Size.

You'll notice that I said she was the "official" plus sized model. Thing is she's not the only one. Ashley Graham is in an ad for suitsforall with the hashtag #curvesinbikinis. Graham is also beautiful, healthy looking and lovely. She's also a size 14.

Plus-Sized Model Ashley Graham Rocks Tiny Bikini in SI Bathing Suit Issue

I have to wonder, at sizes 12 and 14 with all the publicity, what are we teaching women, young and old, who've been these sizes and large for longer then it was accepted by SI and the media? I get what they're trying to do with the message of body acceptance, but why were we not accepted before now? And why when they talk plus sized do they pick someone who's actually smaller then average but is basically just a healthy woman and label her as large?

Think I'll be more impressed when they start including women size 16, 18 or up. I like to think we're just as beautiful and matter too.

Mala