Wann attended, earning a bachelor"s degree in linguistics and a master"s degree in modern thought and literature. As an undergraduate she wrote for the Stanford Daily. About five years after graduation she became an activist after being denied health insurance due to her weight.
She began to speak out against weight prejudice and discrimination.
So? So? so? Fat activism At 5"4" and about 300 pounds, she identifies as a fat person. She has served on the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance (NAAFA) board. Has swum with the Padded Lilies fat synchronized swim team
Has performed with Big Moves modern ensemble and its hiphop troupe the Phat Fly Girls.
And has done street actions with the Bod Squad fat pride cheerleaders. She is a supporter of Health At Every Size (HAES) and explains that it is possible to be "fat and fit." Wann has continued her activism with the creation of the Yay! Scale (which gives compliments instead of a number), speeches at multiple conferences and symposia, and continued involvement with the online "fatosphere" of fat activist bloggers.
She has appeared on national media such as American Broadcasting Company,Columbia Broadcasting System, and Cable News Network. In 2007, Wann interviewed Leonard Nimoy of Star Trek fame, about his work in photography of nude fat models. She participated in a lecture series given at the University of Oklahoma on "Food, Culture & Society" in November 2007.
In addition to her scheduled lecture, Marilyn Wann took time to teach students how to make Yay Scales to celebrate weight diversity.
She lives in San Francisco, California, and identifies herself as a member of a "fat pride" community.
