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About Us
Abundia was created in the spring of 1990 when a group of therapists*, who are women of size, decided to meet to discuss ways to live fully, joyfully and abundantly in a culture that does not appreciate large women. Because they felt empowered by their gathering, they decided to expand their Abundia Circle and invite other large women to share the weekend with them. The first Abundia retreat was held in 1994 near Chicago. Since then women have been coming together annually to share their stories of pain and triumph with tears and laughter. By the end of the weekend they leave feeling supported and empowered. |
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| *The therapists, collectively known as the "Abundia 5," are: Cheri Erdman, Ed.D., LCPC Barbara Spaulding, LCSW Sue Ross, Ed.D. Sally Strosahl, MA Jeanette Zweifel, Ed.D., LCPC, MFT |
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| Abundia: The Next Generation - In 2006, the leaders of Abundia passed the torch to two new leaders, Sandy Dixon and Leeann Enright. Here is a little bit of background from the new Abundia organizers: | |||||||||||||||||||
| SANDY DIXON: My journey into size acceptance began in 2000 at my first Abundia retreat. I was a middle-aged RN working on a masters degree in exercise physiology in an attempt to find out why I was fat and how I could change. With the help of the strong women in Abundia and the Health at Every Size (HAES) movement, I have learned to accept myself as I am and appreciate the beauty of diversity in all sizes. I keep myself busy by working in the cardiopulmonary department of a local hospital and teaching plus-sized water aerobic classes. I have a wonderful husband and three great kids and have lived near Chicago most of my life. |
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| LEEANN ENRIGHT: My last diet was more that 15 years ago although at the time I didn’t know it would be my last. I did know that I’d done everything under the sun to lose weight and never kept it off. When I first heard a few things about size acceptance the topic scared me. I went to my first Abundia in 2001 and more consciously began exploring the power of accepting myself as I am and living my life today. I have a masters degree in Organizational Development and Change Management and over 15 years experience in business transformation and change management consulting. I am so excited to be working with Sandy to bring Abundia and its message of acceptance to other women. It’s through gatherings such as Abundia that I continue my journey and growth as a woman with an unlimited number of adjectives to describe me, including fat. |
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